Teste de força de preensão manual: análise metodológica e dados normativos em atletas

Phase angle as an indicator of body composition and physical performance in handball players

BACKGROUND

Phase angle (PhA), obtained from the bioimpedance analysis, is widely used in clinical situations and in sports. This study evaluated the association between PhA with body composition and physical performance of handball athletes.

METHODS

43 national-level players (22.19 ± 3.86 years) of both sexes were evaluated regarding anthropometry, body composition, squat (SJ) and countermovement (CMJ) jumps, handgrip strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness.

RESULTS

We verified a correlation between PhA of the whole body and fat-free mass (r = 0.511), body mass index (r = 0.307), and body fat % (r = -0.303). There was a positive correlation between PhA of the whole body and SJ (r = 0.376), CMJ (r = 0.419), and handgrip for the dominant hand (r = 0.448). Moreover, PhA of the upper limbs was more strongly correlated with handgrip for the dominant (r = 0.630) and non-dominant hand (r = 0.575) compared to PhA of the whole body considering both sexes. Similarly, segmental PhA had a stronger significant correlation with SJ (r = 0.402) and handgrip for the dominant hand (r = 0.482) in males, as well as CMJ (r = 0.602) in females, compared to PhA of the whole body.

CONCLUSION

PhA of the whole body was positively related to fat-free mass, body mass index, body fat %, and lower- and upper-limbs strength in handball athletes. Segmental PhA might be used as a tool for estimating lower and upper limbs performance considering the sex, in preference to the PhA of the whole body.

Physical and autonomic functionality in women with breast cancer pre and post chemotherapy: a case control study

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most incident types of cancer among women in the world. Although chemotherapy is an effective way to treat several types of cancer, it may also cause serious complications, including cardiotoxicity. This study aimed to identify the impact of chemotherapy on functional capacity, muscle strength and autonomic function.

METHODS

Ten breast cancer patients in therapeutic follow-up (TG) and ten women without comorbidities (CG) participated in the study (46±8.87 years old). Both groups were evaluated at two time points, before and 20 weeks after the start of chemotherapy. Functional capacity and muscle strength were assessed by 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and handgrip test, respectively. Autonomic function was assessed by heart rate variability analysis.

RESULTS

TG presented greater reductions in the handgrip test for the non-dominant hand (TG ↓15.2%; CG: ↑1.1%, p<0.05) compared to GC. However, no significant differences were found regarding VO2max (p>0.05) and 6MWT total distance (p>0.05). Regarding the heart rate variability variables before and after follow-up period, rMSSD (CG= 39.15±37.66; TG= 14.89±8.28, p= 0.01) and SDNN (CG= 55.77±40.03; TG= 26.30±10.37, p= 0.02) showed effect in the group and time interaction, whereas the LF/HF ratio presented significant difference only in the time analysis (CG= 2.24±2.30; TG= 2.84±1.82, p= 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Chemotherapy used in the treatment of breast cancer patients resulted in decreased muscle strength and autonomic imbalance. The data suggests that chemotherapy may carry the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registration not required.

Indicadores multidimensionais do potencial esportivo de jovens basquetebolistas

Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi comparar o perfil antropométrico, físico-motor, psicossocial, maturacional e habilidades táticas de jovens jogadores de basquetebol masculino de um colégio militar. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 318 escolares do sexo masculino, com idade entre 12 e 17 anos, os quais foram divididos em dois grupos: Jovens Atletas de Basquetebol (n=44) e Não Atletas (n=274). Foi aplicada uma bateria de testes para avaliação de indicadores multidimensionais do potencial esportivo. Resultados e Conclusão: Os jovens basquetebolistas apresentaram maior tamanho corporal, melhor desempenho físico-motor, melhores habilidades de coping e habilidades táticas além de possuírem maturação biológica avançada em relação aos não atletas. Estes resultados podem auxiliar os professores-treinadores no processo de formação e seleção de jovens basquetebolistas de nível escolar.

Relationship between Biological, Training, and Physical Fitness Variables in the Expression of Performance in Non-Professional Runners

Sports performance is a multifactorial trait that can be associated with individual and environmental characteristics. In this study, the sample comprised 35 male runners, enrolled in the "InTrack" project. Information regarding variables related to runners' training was obtained via an online questionnaire, while anthropometric and body composition variables, as well as physical fitness components (muscular power, isometric strength, local muscular endurance, agility, and aerobic capacity) were measured, and a global physical fitness score (based on physical fitness components measured) was computed. The Weltman test (3200 m) was used to estimate runners' pace and their stride frequency. Linear regression was used, taking the running pace as dependent variable. The final model, comprising biological, physical fitness, spatiotemporal, and training variables, explained 86% of the running performance variance. Muscular power (β = -1.02; 95% CI = (-1.69)-(-0.35)), abdominal muscle endurance (β = -4.81; 95% CI = (-7.52)-(-2.10)), isometric strength (β = -422.95; 95% CI = (-689.65)-(-156.25)), global physical fitness (β = 27.14; 95% CI = 9.52-45.03), and stride frequency (β = -2.99; 95% CI = (-4.29)-(-1.69)) were significantly associated with performance, meaning that better results in tests and increasing the stride frequency leads to better performance. Individual characteristics and physical fitness components were demonstrated to be significant predictors for running performance.

Functional capacity, lung function, and muscle strength in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a treatment for benign and malignant hematological diseases. These aggressive treatments cause reduced levels of physical activity, decreased lung function, and worse quality of life. Alterations in pulmonary function tests before HSCT are associated with the risk of respiratory failure and early mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate functional capacity and lung function before and after HSCT and identify the predictors of mortality after 2 years.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was carried out with individuals with oncohematological diseases. The evaluations were carried out in two moments during hospitalization and at hospital discharge. Follow-up was carried out after 48 months. Assessments were carried out on 34 adults, using spirometry, manovacuometry, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Handgrip Strength Test, and 30-Second Chair Stand Test (30-s CST).

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant reduction for the variables in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume predicted in the 1st second, Tiffeneau index, handgrip strength, and distance covered (% predicted) on the 6MWT (p < .05). There was a significant difference in the 30-s CST when individuals were compared according to the type of transplant. We found that a 10% reduction in the values of maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) can predict an increased risk for mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals undergoing HSCT have reduced functional capacity, lung function, and muscle strength during the hospitalization phase. Reduction in the values of MIP increases the risk of nonrelapse mortality.

TALENTO MOTOR E MATURAÇÃO BIOLÓGICA EM ESCOLARES DE UM COLÉGIO MILITAR

RESUMO Introdução A avaliação do desempenho motor em escolares tem sido utilizada na identificação de talentos esportivos. Porém, existem poucos estudos, sobre esta temática, e nenhum no Sistema Colégio Militar do Brasil. Objetivo Avaliar indicadores antropométricos, fisicomotores e maturacionais; investigar a proporção de talentos motores; analisar a relação entre o diagnóstico de talento motor e o estágio maturacional; e comparar o perfil de alunos-atletas e não atletas de um colégio militar. Métodos Foram avaliados 1.490 escolares de ambos os sexos, de 11 a 17 anos. Aplicou-se uma bateria de testes multidimensional para avaliação do tamanho e da composição corporal, flexibilidade, força de preensão manual, força explosiva de membros superiores e inferiores, velocidade, resistência aeróbica e maturação somática. Os dados foram analisados por meio do teste qui-quadrado e análise de covariância. Resultados Os escolares apresentaram maior tamanho corporal, maior desempenho motor e maturação biológica discretamente avançada em relação aos dados disponíveis na literatura. Além disso, foram criados pontos de corte para oito testes relacionados com a prática esportiva, para identificar escolares com resultados muito acima da média, sendo encontrados 11% de talentos motores. Constatou-se ainda que os talentos motores foram mais frequentes nos escolares avançados biologicamente, e que os alunos-atletas apresentaram diferenças significativas em relação aos não atletas, principalmente quanto ao desempenho motor. Conclusão Os escolares do colégio militar são maiores, mais fortes, mais resistentes e mais maduros biologicamente quando comparados aos valores de referência da literatura, e tais características acentuam-se nos alunos-atletas. Além disso, aproximadamente um em cada dez escolares do colégio militar pode ser considerado um talento motor, e este diagnóstico é mais frequente nos escolares com maturação precoce. Nível de evidência II; Estudo diagnóstico.

Hand grip strength: Reference values for adults and elderly people of Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil

Hand grip strength (HGS) is recognized as an important health indicator, but validated reference values that can be applied to the evaluation of individuals in different populations are still lacking. This work aimed to identify correlations between HGS and anthropometric variables and to establish HGS reference values for adult and elderly populations. This is a population-based cross-sectional study considering the subsets of individuals with healthy right or left upper limbs from a sample of 1,609 adults and elderly residents in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil. Descriptive statistics of anthropometric measures and HGS values at maximum performance based on three measurements of the two hands were obtained, and Pearson correlations between these variables were applied. Percentile distributions were estimated for right and left HGS by sex and age group. Men presented, in general, a maximum HGS 57% higher than women (43.4 kg vs. 27.6 kg), and also higher HGS levels in the different age groups. In both sexes, the highest HGS values were observed in the age group of 30 to 39 years (men, 46.9 kg; women, 29.4 kg), with a subsequent decline. HGS presented a negative correlation with age and a weak to moderate positive correlation with anthropometric variables, among men and women. The median HGS of men was reduced by about 46% between the ages of 30 and 39 years and 80 years and over (right hand, 46.4 to 23.7 kg; left hand, 42.2 to 23.5 kg) and by about 44% in women (right hand, 29.0 to 16.4 kg, left hand, 27.3 to 15.2 kg). The values identified are a reference for HGS behavior among healthy adults and seniors, although they do not discriminate individuals with specific health conditions. They can be used in rehabilitation programs and subsidize future studies aimed at exploring their potential application in the evaluation of the health condition of adults and elderly individuals.

Predictive validity analysis of six reference equations for the 6-minute walk test in healthy Brazilian men: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is an important tool for evaluating functional capacity and exercise tolerance. The reference equations for the 6MWT in healthy subjects were established on the basis of American and European populations, but reference equations have been proposed with different variables for the Brazilian population.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the predictive validity of six reference equations for the six-minute walking distance (6MWD) in healthy adult men.

METHODS

We evaluated 103 individuals in relation to level of physical activity (IPAQ), respiratory symptoms (MRC), handgrip strength, and 6MWD test. The data were submitted to a normality test, then the Bland-Altman agreement test was used to compare individual 6MWD values with that expected for each equation.

RESULTS

The subjects were active, with a mean age of 34.12 (SD=8.88) years and no respiratory symptoms. The mean of the 6MWD was 663.43 (SD=93.01)m. The 6MWD's predicted values came closest to the walked distance covered by Britto et al.'s equation (using BMI) of 647.62 (SD=38.62)m.

CONCLUSIONS

The equation proposed by Britto et al. using body mass index (BMI) was the closest to the 6MWD for the individuals studied and could be widely used as a reference tool during the 6MWT in healthy Brazilian men.

Assessment of the strength of the lower limb muscles in subjects with stroke with portable dynamometry: a literature review

Abstract Introduction: Weakness of the lower limb muscles, which are the main impairments after stroke, is associated with reduced mobility and decreased performance in functional tasks. Therefore, the assessment of strength of these muscles is necessary, which is commonly assessed with portable dynamometry. Aims: To perform a literature review regarding the methods used to assess lower limb strength with portable dynamometry in subjects with stroke and to describe its investigated measurement properties with this population. Materials and Methods: An extensive search was performed on the MEDLINE, SCIELO, LILACS, and PEDro databases, by combining specific key words, followed by active manual search by two independent researchers. Results and Discussion: Thirty studies were included, and the muscular groups of the knee (90%) were the most assessed, followed by the ankle (66.7%) and hip (63.3%) joints. In 5% of the studies, there were not reported any descriptions related to the positioning of the subjects and the equipment, neither regarding the stabilization procedures. Only 50% provided information regarding the number of trials and only 46.7% regarding the contraction times, being three trials and 5s the most commonly applied. Only 10% provided feedback and 23.3% demonstrations, prior to data collection. Only seven studies (23.3%) investigated the measurement properties of portable dynamometry and reported moderate to high reliability levels. Final Considerations: The protocols used for the assessment of the strength of the lower limb muscles with portable dynamometry in subjects with stroke were not standardized. Moreover, only one measurement property was investigated: the reliability, which was considered adequate.

Tracking upper limbs fatigue by means of electronic dynamometry

This study aimed to identify useful electronic grip dynamometry parameters to track differences between trained (TR) and untrained (UT) participants, and between dominant (DO) and non-dominant (ND) limbs as a consequence of upper limbs muscle fatigue following 10 RM tests of the brachial biceps. This experimental study with transversal design involved 18 young adult males, of whom 9 were untrained and 9 were experienced in resistance training.Isometric grip force was evaluated (30 seconds long) previous and after 10RM tests by means of a G200 Model grip dynamometer with precision load cell (Biometrics(r)). Significant differences between initial and final measurements were found only for trained participants: Peak force for TR-DO (67.1 vs 55.5 kgf, p = .0277); Raw average for TR-DO (46.96 vs 42.22 kgf, p = .0464), and for TR-ND (40.34 vs 36.13 kgf, p = .0277). Electronic grip dynamometry efficiently identified upper limbs fatigue in trained participants, being raw average measurements the best parameter.

Effect of peripheral muscle fatigue during the testing of handgrip strength

Introduction Muscle fatigue is a phenomenon associated with physical work. It is common in endurance sports, physical fitness tests and daily activities. Some tests can be directly affected by the effect of peripheral muscle fatigue, including the handgrip strength (HGS) test, which is considered baseline measure for assessing the functionality of the hand. Objectives a) verify the effect of peripheral muscle fatigue (between trials) during the testing of HGS, with a 60-second recovery interval; b) to analyze whether there is a difference in considering the mean value obtained in three trials or the best result as the final result. Materials and methods The final sample comprised 1,279 men. We followed the standard methodology and used a hydraulic hand dynamometer. Results There were statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in the dominant hand among all the trials: first (46.5 ± 8.6 Kgf), second (46.4 ± 8.5 Kgf) and third (46.1 ± 8.6 Kgf); and also in the non-dominant hand: first (44.9 ± 8.4 Kgf), second (44.5 ± 8.3 Kgf) and third (44.0 ± 8.3 Kgf). We also found statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between the two ways of considering the final result. For the dominant hand, the mean of the three attempts was 46.3 ± 8.3 Kgf and the best result was 48.1 ± 8.5 Kgf, whereas for the non-dominant hand, these results were 44.5 ± 8.2 Kgf and 46.0 ± 8.2 kgf, respectively. Conclusion Peripheral muscle fatigue directly interferes in the final result. A significant reduction in strength levels occurs in course of the assessment. The best result is frequently obtained at the first trial, which indicates that the highest value obtained should be considered as the final result.

Força de preensão manual em atletas de judô

INTRODUÇÃO: A força de preensão manual é a capacidade da mão em realizar tarefas, imprimir forças e segurar objetos. Dentre os diversos esportes que utilizam a força de preensão manual com predominância em sua prática, um deles é o judô, aonde a força de preensão manual é imprescindível para que o judoca consiga se impor ao adversário, pois está ligada à capacidade de realização do golpe. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a força de preensão manual em atletas de judô.MÉTODOS: O estudo contou com a participação de 30 judocas, sendo formado por 15 faixas brancas e 15 faixas pretas, que foram submetidos a uma avaliação da força de preensão com um dinamômetro manual da marca Jamar(r). Foi utilizada a estatística descritiva (média e desvio-padrão) para análise dos dados antropométricos, o teste tde Student para verificação da homogeneidade entre os grupos e o Teste de Shapiro-Wilk para verificação da distribuição. Para análise de comparação intra e intergrupos foi utilizado o Teste de Mann-Whitney para amostras independentes (p≤0,05). Os dados foram analisados através do software BioEstat 5.0.RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstraram que os judocas faixas pretas apresentam uma força de preensão palmar significativamente maior na mão dominante em relação à não dominante, e também significativamente maior em relação aos atletas de faixas brancas tanto na mão dominante quanto na mão não dominante.CONCLUSÃO: Atletas de judô faixas pretas têm preensão manual mais forte do que os atletas de faixas brancas, sugerindo que quanto maior o tempo de prática esportiva na modalidade, maior a força de preensão manual em ambas as mãos.

Validade preditiva de equações de referência para força de preensão manual em homens brasileiros de meia idade e idosos

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a validade preditiva das equações de referência para predição da força de preensão manual (FPM) em homens brasileiros de meia idade e idosos. Foram avaliados 60 homens com idade de 58,7±8,6 anos (50-84 anos), estatura 168,7±8,0 cm, massa corporal 67,9±13,0 kg e índice de massa corporal 23,7±4,0 kg/m², utilizando equipamento 'padrão-ouro' na avaliação da FPM e seguindo todas as recomendações metodológicas preconizadas pela American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT). Os resultados do diagrama de Bland-Altman para mão dominante (MD) apresentam um erro médio (viés) de -8,4% (IC95% -51,6-34,7). Já o diagrama de Bland-Altman para mão não dominante (MND) apresenta um erro médio (viés) de 1,4% (IC95% -47,1-49,8). O cálculo de Cronbach's alpha para a MD foi de 0,69 e 0,59 para MND. O coeficiente de correlação intraclasse para MD foi 0,52 (IC95% 31-68) e de 0,42 (IC95% 20-60) para a MND. Concluímos que as equações para predição analisadas neste estudo, para uma população de homens brasileiros de meia idade e idosos, apresentou baixa validade preditiva, o que pode gerar erros de interpretação dos resultados.

Relação entre os desempenhos em diferentes testes frequentemente utilizados na avaliação da função manual

INTRODUÇÃO: Testes de Força de Preensão Palmar Máxima (FP Max) e de destreza manual são utilizados como indicativos da função manual . Porém, a FP Max pode ter sua validade questionada, em virtude de raramente exercermos força máxima em tarefas cotidianas. Para investigar a validade da FP Max, examinamos a relação dessa variável com outras obtidas em testes de destreza manual. Ainda, investigamos a relação entre testes de destreza manual. OBJETIVO: Verificar a relação entre a FP Max e o desempenho no Teste de Função Manual de Jebsen e Taylor (TFMJT) e entre o desempenho nesse teste e o desempenho no teste dos Nove Pinos nos Buracos (9-PnB). MÉTODO: Trinta e seis adultos jovens e sadios (18 homens e 18 mulheres) realizaram o TFMJT, seguido do 9-PnB e do teste de FP Max, com ambas as mãos. Foram realizadas análises de correlação entre o desempenho nesses testes. RESULTADOS: Os resultados revelaram a existência de uma relação negativa moderada entre a FP Max e o TFMJT (r < - 0,74), mostrando que, quanto mais forte o indivíduo, menor é o tempo para realizar o TFMJT. Os resultados revelaram, também, uma fraca correlação entre o teste 9-PnB e o TFMJT, somente na mão não dominante. CONCLUSÕES: A FP Max pode ser utilizada como indicativo da FM, mas seus resultados devem ser utilizados com cautela, pois essa variável não contempla todos os aspectos que envolvem a coordenação e o controle das forças atuantes durante a manipulação de objetos. Os testes 9-PnB e TFMJT indicam características diferentes relacionadas às capacidades manipulativas.