PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Muscle Strength Dynamometer”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Eccentric endurance training in subjects with coronary artery disease: a novel exercise paradigm in cardiac rehabilitation?

This study evaluated the effects of 8 weeks of eccentric endurance training (EET) in male subjects (age range 42-66 years) with coronary artery disease (CAD). EET was compared to concentric endurance training (CET) carried out at the same metabolic exercise intensity, three times per week for half an hour. CET ( n=6) was done on a conventional cycle ergometer and EET ( n=6) on a custom-built motor-driven ergometer. During the first 5 weeks of the training program the metabolic load was progressively increased to 60% of peak oxygen uptake in both groups. At this metabolic load, mechanical work rate achieved was 97 (8) W [mean (SE)] for CET and 338 (34) W for EET, respectively. Leg muscle mass was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, quadriceps strength with an isokinetic dynamometer and muscle fibre composition of the vastus lateralis muscle with morphometry. The leg muscle mass increased significantly in both groups by some 3%. Strength parameters of knee extensors improved in EET only. Significant changes of +11 (4.9)%, +15 (3.2)% and +9 (2.5)% were reached for peak isometric torque and peak concentric torques at 60 degrees s(-1) and 120 degrees s(-1), respectively. Fibre size increased significantly by 19% in CET only. In conclusion, the present investigation showed that EET is feasible in middle-aged CAD patients and has functional advantages over CET by increasing muscle strength. Muscle mass increased similarly in both groups whereas muscle structural composition was differently affected by the respective training protocols. Potential limitations of this study are the cautiously chosen conditioning protocol and the restricted number of subjects.

Coronary Artery Disease↗
PubMed1992

[Muscular strength: an indicator of nutritional status].

A hand dynamometer was used to measure muscle strength in 207 patients admitted to the Gastroenterology service of a general hospital. Validation of international standards in a normal population of both sexes and different ages revealed that our normals perform at the 25% percentile of international values. Results were correlated with other measurements of nutritional status, namely anthropometric measurements, serum albumin level and tuberculin test. Compared to normals, muscle strength was significantly (p < 0.01) lower in patients with body mass index under 19, cutaneous tricipital folding < 85%, brachial circumference < 85%, and serum albumin < 3.5 g/dl. No difference in muscle strength between tuberculin positive or negative subjects was observed. None of the nutritional parameter was helpful to predict complications in patients submitted to surgery. Thus, muscle strength is a useful parameter to evaluate nutritional status but, similar to other measurements, is not predictive of surgical complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Measuring muscular strength of the lower limbs by hand-held dynamometer: a standard protocol.

The aim of this study is to describe the reliability of measuring maximal strength of eight muscle groups of the lower limb by a hand-held dynamometer, according to a standard assessment protocol. The study population consisted of 26 patients (14 males and 12 females; age range 60-90 years) admitted to a geriatric hospital. Multiple assessments of muscle strength by two different examiners were compared to estimate test-retest and inter-rater reliability. The range of strength evaluated across the eight muscle groups was 2.1-29.8 Kg/force. Overall, short-term (same day) and long-term (one week apart) test-retest and inter-rater reliability were very high, with 60% of the intraclass correlation coefficient values above 0.8, and the majority above 0.7. No significant differences in strength were found comparing the left and the right side of each muscle group. Differences between values collected in the same subject by two different examiners, and by the same examiner at different points in time were similar, not influenced by the average strength of the muscle group, and significantly larger for long-term than for short-term comparisons. By using a standardized measurement protocol, reliable measurements of muscle strength can be obtained by a hand-held dynamometer in frail older persons.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Serial isokinetic evaluations used for a patient with scapuloperoneal muscular dystrophy. A case report.

This article reports the reversal of an atypical rapid decline in muscle strength experienced by a patient with scapuloperoneal muscular dystrophy by modulating his excessive daily physical activity. This process was aided by our monitoring the strength of the quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscles using an isokinetic dynamometer. Serial torque values for muscle strength were compared as the total daily physical activity was decreased systematically. The torque values for thigh muscle strength increased as the subject's total work load was decreased. A complete management program for neuromuscular patients should include specified amounts of daily physical activity, rest, and therapeutic exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Towards an objective assessment of the "maximal voluntary contraction" component in routine muscle strength measurements.

Routine measurements of muscle strength capabilities commonly use external dynamometers against which the subject exerts maximal voluntary contractions of muscles in static (isometric) tests. These tests require active cooperation of the subject, i.e., full motivation to "give the best". At present, no practicable techniques exist that provide objective clues indicating that indeed a maximal effort is delivered, or if only a portion of the available strength is exerted. This paper describes experiments performed with 30 subjects which indicate that the rate of strength build-up in repeated exertions may provide objective criteria to judge whether or not a subject exerts full muscular strength in a routine test.

Female↗
PubMed1996

Inspiratory muscle endurance in patients with chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the significance of changes in respiratory muscle endurance in relation to respiratory and limb muscle strength in patients with mild to moderate chronic heart failure using a threshold loading technique. SUBJECTS: 20 patients with chronic heart failure (17 male) aged 63.8 (SD 7.4) years and 10 healthy men aged 63.1 (5.6) years. Heart failure severity was New York Heart Association (NYHA) grade II (n = 11) and NYHA grade III/IV (n = 9). METHODS: Respiratory muscle strength was measured from mouth pressures during maximum inspiratory effort (MIP) at functional residual capacity (FRC) and limb muscle strength was measured using a hand grip dynamometer. Inspiratory muscle endurance was measured using a threshold loading technique. The total endurance duration, the maximum threshold pressure achieved (P-Max), and the inspiratory load (% ratio of P-Max/MIP) were recorded in all subjects. RESULTS: Inspiratory muscles were weaker in patients with heart failure than in the controls [MIP 53.6 (16.5) v 70.9 (20.2) cm H2O, P < 0.05]. Hand grip strength was similar in both subject groups [31.6 (SD) v 36.1 (15.9) dynes]. Total endurance duration was significantly reduced in the patient group [494 (223) v 996 (267) s, P < 0.01], as was the maximal threshold pressure achieved [P-Max 18.5 (6.4) v 30.7 (6.6) cm H2O, P < 0.01]. When expressed as a percentage of MIP, P-Max was also lower in the patients [35.2 (11.8) v 44.8 (11.4)%, P < 0.05]. There was no significant correlation between any measure of endurance and limb muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory muscle endurance is reduced in patients with chronic heart failure. These changes probably reflect a generalised skeletal myopathy and provide further evidence of respiratory muscle dysfunction in patients with this disease. Respiratory muscle endurance needs now to be related to symptoms and the effects of treatment and respiratory muscle training should also be explored.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2000

Strength of the intrinsic muscles of the hand measured with a hand-held dynamometer: reliability in patients with ulnar and median nerve paralysis.

The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of a technique to measure the strength of the intrinsic hand muscles. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients showed an excellent level of reliability for the comparison of muscle strength between groups of patients. However, for the results of individual patients, the calculated Standard Error of Measurements (10-16%) and the Smallest Detectable Differences for intraobserver (31-36%) and interobserver (37-52%) values indicate that only relatively large changes in strength can be confidently detected with this technique. The results of the present study were compared with those of four previous grip strength studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Changes in abdominal muscle strength with respect to aging].

It has been generally agreed that muscle strength decreases with advance of age in adulthood. In order to study the effect of aging in abdominal muscle strength, abdominal muscle strength, height, body weight and grip strength were measured in 144 healthy subjects aged from 20 to 88 years old. The abdominal muscle strength was measured using a grip dynamometer. Curve between aging and strength revealed that the abdominal muscle strength gradually decreased with aging during many decades, but rapidly decreased in the fifth decade and over in males and seventh decade and over in females. Among these data, significant correlations were observed between abdominal muscle strength and age (only in males; r = -0.64), abdominal muscle strength and grip strength (in males; r = 0.75, in females; r = 0.47), age and grip strength (in males; -0.72, in females; r = -0.60), and, age and height (in males; r = -0.55, in females; r = -0.46). The results suggest that decrease of abdominal muscle strength is due to aging, although the degree of the decrease is affected by the generation studied. The method to measure abdominal muscle strength originally developed by us is easy and useful to understand changes of age-related muscular strength.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1991

Muscle adaptation and disability in late poliomyelitis.

Persons who suffered poliomyelitis 3 or more decades ago now report functional decline and symptoms designated as "post-polio syndrome". The objects of this investigation were to identify subjects fulfilling the criteria of this syndrome, to describe their motor impairment and resulting disabilities/handicaps, to study the adaptive changes in the muscle structure and effects of a resistance exercise program. Forty-one late-polio subjects, 40-65 years old, volunteered for the studies of motor impairment, subgroups of those volunteered to further studies of long-term and short-term adaptations. Seventy-five per cent of the subjects met the criteria for the post-polio syndrome. Complete manual muscle tests and dynamometer measurements of knee muscle strength revealed severe motor impairment predominantly in the lower extremities, the strength of the latter correlating to the degree of mobility handicap. In biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle, type grouping was frequent. Half of the subjects demonstrated over 70% occurrence of type I fibers with negative significant correlation to strength in the female subjects. Cross-section areas of muscle fibers were on average twice the normal, with negative significant correlation to strength values in male subjects. Muscle enzymatic activity values showed large individual variations; oxidative activities (citrate synthase) were low or very low, while average glycolytic activities were nearly normal. Macro EMG and single-fiber EMG measurements in the vastus lateralis muscle demonstrated large macro motor unit potentials and increased fiber density. Neuromuscular transmission was disturbed as identified by jitter and blockings in most subjects regardless of the occurrence of new muscular symptoms. A statistically significant increase in strength (25-30%) resulted from a 6 weeks' heavy resistance exercise program, utilizing a dynamometer, without any obvious side-effects. Strength improvement was maintained for 6-12 months after training while fatigue index increased. A substantial impact on intermediate (secondary or instrumental) ADL, most severely affecting the quality of mobility, was generally found, while little effect was found on primary ADL as revealed by the Katz' ADL index, the Functional Status Questionnaire and the WHO ICIDH Classification of Handicap. The impaired motor function confirms findings in earlier studies. It also corresponds with the locomotor disabilities and handicaps. The negative correlation of strength to cross-section fiber area might result from excessive use of remaining fibers leading to a prominent hypertrophy in the weakest subjects. Enzyme activities probably reflect the pattern of everyday activities with little demands on endurance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Site-specificity of bone mineral density and muscle strength in women: job-related physical activity.

We proposed that there are significant correlations between muscle strength and bone mineral density in premenopausal women and that these correlations are site-specific. To test this hypothesis, we examined the relationships among site-specific bone mineral density, physical activity, and muscle strength in a group of 96 healthy premenopausal Caucasian women. Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine and at three sites in the proximal femur (trochanter, femoral neck, and Ward's triangle) with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and at the mid-radius with single-photon absorptiometry. The muscle strength of hip and spinal muscle groups was determined with a strain gauge isodynamometer, and grip strength was measured with the JAMAR dynamometer. The strength of shoulder girdle muscle groups was evaluated with the use of free weights. Physical activity was determined by surveying the subjects and by using a standardized scale. Data analysis revealed significant linear correlations of muscle strength with bone mineral density at the mid-radius (r = 0.31; P = 0.002) and at the hip (r = 0.26; P = 0.01). Grip strength was significantly correlated with bone mineral density of both the spine and the femur (r = 0.24, r = 0.34; P < 0.05 for both). Back extensor strength correlated with bone mineral density of the hip (Ward's triangle; r = 0.23; P = 0.023). However, there was no significant positive correlation between the strength of the spinal flexor or extensor muscles and the site-related bone mass (lumbar spine). Only one of the three components of the physical activity score (job) positively correlated with vertebral bone mineral density (r = 0.21; P = 0.04). Physical activity negatively correlated with age (r = 0.24; P = 0.02). We conclude that in premenopausal women, the effect of muscle strength on bone mass is more systemic than site-specific. A positive correlation between vertebral bone mass and components of physical activity demonstrates that even job-related physical activity is an important factor in maintaining adequate bone mass.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The effects of aerobic exercise on endurance, strength, function and self-perception in adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy: a report of three case studies.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in endurance, strength, function, and self-perception before, during, and after aerobic exercise intervention in three ambulatory adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS: Three individuals (17-20 years of age) with spastic cerebral palsy participated. An A1B1A2B2 design was employed. Data obtained during the different phases included energy expenditure index (EEI), lower extremity muscle strength using a handheld dynamometer, the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and the Self-Perception Profile for College Students (SPPCS). RESULTS: All participants had a significant improvement in at least one of the components of the EEI. Combined mean strength of quadriceps, hamstrings, and ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors increased bilaterally for all participants. Gross motor function improved for all participants in at least one phase of the study. The self-perception of appearance improved for all participants. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic exercise may help increase strength of the lower extremity muscles, decrease energy required to ambulate, and improve gross motor function and self-perception for some adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Measurement of strength of hip joint muscles.

A standard procedure for measurement of hip muscle strength with an isokinetic dynamometer is presented. The method is based on recordings in supine position and firm stabilisation of the pelvis. Abduction and adduction movements can be done without friction. The position of the dynamometer and its rotation centre is indicated. The reproducibility was studied by a test-retest procedure. The methodological error varied between 4% and 10.5% and the coefficient of reliability varied between 0.80-0.99. The coefficient of variation when measuring one testing subject at ten different occasions was smaller at isokinetic than isometric measurements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: effects of acute intravenous and chronic subcutaneous administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in controlled trials.

We performed double-blind crossover trials to assess the effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. For acute intravenous trials, 500 mg TRH or placebo with norepinephrine was given at 1-week intervals (16 patients). CSF TRH concentration increased, and clinical side effects appeared with TRH. For chronic studies, 25 mg TRH and a saline placebo were given subcutaneously every day for 3 months (25 patients). CSF TRH level increased 29-fold after a single TRH injection, and mild transient side effects occurred. Vital signs, respiratory function, semiquantitative and quantitative neurologic function, muscle strength by manual and dynamometer testing, and EMG were studied. With daily TRH, 10 patients noted subjective improvement without objective evidence, and 10 patients complained of worsening of the disease with objective decline after TRH was stopped. Statistical analysis, however, showed no beneficial effects from either acute or chronic TRH trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Muscle performance in fibromyalgia syndrome.

The objective of the study was to examine the muscle performance, isokinetic muscle strength, muscle endurance ratio, and submaximal aerobic performance in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients, to evaluate the relation between muscle performance, pain severity, clinical findings, and physical activity level, and to compare the results with healthy control subjects. Twenty-four FMS patients and 15 control subjects participated in this study. Data were obtained about the symptoms, location and onset of pain, treatment, and associated symptoms. Patients and controls underwent an examination of isokinetic muscle strength of right quadriceps on a Cybex dynamometer, and submaximal aerobic performance tests (PWC-170) were done for all subjects. Maximal voluntary muscle strength of the quadriceps was significantly lower in patients compared with the control group. Endurance ratios showing the work capacity were not statistically different between two groups. Submaximal aerobic performance scores were higher in the control group. There was not a relation between the decreased muscle performance and clinical findings, including pain severity, number of tender points, and duration of the symptoms of FMS patients. We found a reduced quadriceps muscle strength and submaximal aerobic performance in patients with FMS, indicating that patients have impaired muscle function.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Isometric strength measurement for muscle weakness in cancer patients: reproducibility of isometric muscle strength measurements with a hand-held pull-gauge dynamometer in cancer patients.

Our aim was to determine several indexes of reproducibility for strength measurements with a hand-held pull-gauge dynamometer (MFB50K) in cancer patients. Two independent testers performed repeated measurements of maximal isometric elbow and knee strength. The measurements were gathered in a convenience sample of 40 patients (27 men, age 20-72 years) with various types and stages of cancer. These patients were recruited from the medical oncology clinic of a university hospital. The Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the standard error of measurement (SEM) and its associated 95% confidence interval, the smallest detectable difference (SDD) and the limits of agreement were determined as outcome measures for reproducibility. The results for the Pearson product moment correlation and the ICC were 0.90 for elbow and 0.96 for knee extension strength. The results in terms of the SDDs were 29.4 newton (N) for elbow and 54.8 N for knee strength. The limits of agreement for elbow strength were -21.7 N and 38.5 N (mean 8.4 N). For knee strength the limits of agreement were -49.8 N and 59.8 N (mean 5 N). The Pearson product moment correlation and the ICC suggested good reproducibility. However, the more informative indices of reproducibility, i.e. the SEM and the SDD, showed relatively large measurement error between the testers. Therefore, the current use of the MFB50K for the measurement of muscle strength is not supported in cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Motor determinants of gait in 100 ambulatory patients with multiple sclerosis.

A prospective analysis of gait and strength parameters was performed in 100 patients diagnosed with MS and pyramidal involvement admitted in a rehabilitation unit The patients were divided into two groups based on their ability to walk in daily life (nonassisted or cane-assisted gait) and into four clinical subgroups depending on associated involvements such as sensory loss or cerebellar ataxia. Twenty healthy subjects were studied as a control group. Gait parameters were evaluated with a Locometre and muscle strength with an isokinetic dynamometer. The results showed that the average velocity and strength of the hamstring and quadriceps were strongly correlated and reduced in the MS group in comparison with the control, and in the cane-assisted group compared with the nonassisted group. Gait velocity tended to be more correlated to hamstring strength in the nonassisted group with a determination coefficient (r2) reaching a value of 0.44 in the sensory subgroup. These findings provide evidence that a correlation between strength reduction and gait impairment is obvious whatever the clinical form in patients with MS. This correlation is higher with hamstrings but may change depending on the disability level and the clinical form. This could be taken into account in the individual assessment of further rehabilitation programmes.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1988

Reliability of quantitative muscle testing in healthy children and in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy using a hand-held dynamometer.

The purpose of this study was to examine intratester and test-retest reliability using a hand-held dynamometer for the measurement of isometric muscle strength in 28 healthy children and children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The Dystrophic Group consisted of 14 children diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and the Healthy Group consisted of 14 age-matched children with no history of orthopedic or neuromuscular disorders. One physical therapist tested hip and knee extension, elbow flexion, and shoulder abduction in each child bilaterally. A two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures was used to analyze differences between measurements taken within and across the testing sessions. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were determined on mean values across the testing sessions for each variable. No significant differences (p greater than .05) between measurements taken within or across testing sessions were found in either the Dystrophic Group or the Healthy Group. Correlation coefficients for the Dystrophic Group ranged from .83 to .99 for the variables tested. Correlation coefficients for the Healthy Group ranged from .74 to .99. The results suggest that the hand-held dynamometer can be used as a reliable instrument in measuring the isometric strength of selected muscles in children.

Activities of Daily Living↗