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Boccia G, Brustio PR, Beratto L, Peluso I, Ferrara R, Munzi D, Toti E, Raguzzini A, Sciarra T, Rainoldi A. Upper-Limb Muscle Fatigability in Para-Athletes Quantified as the Rate of Force Development in Rapid Contractions of Submaximal Amplitude. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2024; 9:108. [PMID: 38921644 PMCID: PMC11204935 DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9020108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to compare neuromuscular fatigability of the elbow flexors and extensors between athletes with amputation (AMP) and athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) for maximum voluntary force (MVF) and rate of force development (RFD). We recruited 20 para-athletes among those participating at two training camps (2022) for Italian Paralympic veterans. Ten athletes with SCI (two with tetraplegia and eight with paraplegia) were compared to 10 athletes with amputation (above the knee, N = 3; below the knee, N = 6; forearm, N = 1). We quantified MVF, RFD at 50, 100, and 150 ms, and maximal RFD (RFDpeak) of elbow flexors and extensors before and after an incremental arm cranking to voluntary fatigue. We also measured the RFD scaling factor (RFD-SF), which is the linear relationship between peak force and peak RFD quantified in a series of ballistic contractions of submaximal amplitude. SCI showed lower levels of MVF and RFD in both muscle groups (all p values ≤ 0.045). Despite this, the decrease in MVF (Cohen's d = 0.425, p < 0.001) and RFDpeak (d = 0.424, p = 0.003) after the incremental test did not show any difference between pathological conditions. Overall, RFD at 50 ms showed the greatest decrease (d = 0.741, p < 0.001), RFD at 100 ms showed a small decrease (d = 0.382, p = 0.020), and RFD at 150 ms did not decrease (p = 0.272). The RFD-SF decreased more in SCI than AMP (p < 0.0001). Muscle fatigability impacted not only maximal force expressions but also the quickness of ballistic contractions of submaximal amplitude, particularly in SCI. This may affect various sports and daily living activities of wheelchair users. Early RFD (i.e., ≤50 ms) was notably affected by muscle fatigability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Boccia
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Turin, Italy;
- Neuromuscular Function Research Group, School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Paolo Riccardo Brustio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Turin, Italy;
- Neuromuscular Function Research Group, School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Luca Beratto
- Neuromuscular Function Research Group, School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Ilaria Peluso
- Research Centre for Food and Nutrition (CREA-AN), 00178 Rome, Italy; (I.P.); (E.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Roberto Ferrara
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Italian Army Medical Hospital, 00143 Rome, Italy; (R.F.); (T.S.)
| | - Diego Munzi
- Joint Veteran Defence Center, 00184 Rome, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Toti
- Research Centre for Food and Nutrition (CREA-AN), 00178 Rome, Italy; (I.P.); (E.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Anna Raguzzini
- Research Centre for Food and Nutrition (CREA-AN), 00178 Rome, Italy; (I.P.); (E.T.); (A.R.)
| | - Tommaso Sciarra
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Italian Army Medical Hospital, 00143 Rome, Italy; (R.F.); (T.S.)
- Joint Veteran Defence Center, 00184 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alberto Rainoldi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
- Research Centre for Food and Nutrition (CREA-AN), 00178 Rome, Italy; (I.P.); (E.T.); (A.R.)
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Boccia G, D’Emanuele S, Brustio PR, Beratto L, Tarperi C, Casale R, Sciarra T, Rainoldi A. Strength Asymmetries Are Muscle-Specific and Metric-Dependent. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148495. [PMID: 35886350 PMCID: PMC9319678 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
We investigated if dominance affected upper limbs muscle function, and we calculated the level of agreement in asymmetry direction across various muscle-function metrics of two heterologous muscle groups. We recorded elbow flexors and extensors isometric strength of the dominant and non-dominant limb of 55 healthy adults. Participants performed a series of explosive contractions of maximal and submaximal amplitudes to record three metrics of muscle performance: maximal voluntary force (MVF), rate of force development (RFDpeak), and RFD-Scaling Factor (RFD-SF). At the population level, the MVF was the only muscle function that showed a difference between the dominant and non-dominant sides, being on average slightly (3–6%) higher on the non-dominant side. At the individual level, the direction agreement among heterologous muscles was poor for all metrics (Kappa values ≤ 0.15). When considering the homologous muscles, the direction agreement was moderate between MVF and RFDpeak (Kappa = 0.37) and low between MVF and RFD-SF (Kappa = 0.01). The asymmetries are muscle-specific and rarely favour the same side across different muscle-performance metrics. At the individual level, no one side is more performative than the other: each limb is favoured depending on muscle group and performance metric. The present findings can be used by practitioners that want to decrease the asymmetry levels as they should prescribe specific exercise training for each muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennaro Boccia
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.B.); (P.R.B.); (C.T.)
- NeuroMuscularFunction Research Group, School of Exercise and Sport Science, SUISM, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Samuel D’Emanuele
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy;
| | - Paolo Riccardo Brustio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.B.); (P.R.B.); (C.T.)
- NeuroMuscularFunction Research Group, School of Exercise and Sport Science, SUISM, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy;
| | - Luca Beratto
- NeuroMuscularFunction Research Group, School of Exercise and Sport Science, SUISM, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Cantor Tarperi
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (G.B.); (P.R.B.); (C.T.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, 37129 Verona, Italy;
| | - Roberto Casale
- Opusmedica Persons Care & Research, NPO, 29121 Piacenza, Italy;
| | - Tommaso Sciarra
- Joint Veterans Defence Center, Scientific Department, Army Medical Center, 00184 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alberto Rainoldi
- NeuroMuscularFunction Research Group, School of Exercise and Sport Science, SUISM, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Uygur M, Barone DA, Dankel SJ, DeStefano N. Isometric tests to evaluate upper and lower extremity functioning in people with multiple sclerosis: reliability and validity. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 63:103817. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Strength, Flexibility and Postural Control of the Trunk and Lower Body in Participants with and without Patellofemoral Pain. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12073238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a frequent knee condition. The aim of this study was to investigate strength, flexibility and postural control in people with and without PFP. Fifty-five participants between 14 and 54 years of age (PFP = 18, control group = 37) were included. Strength and flexibility for all trunk, hip, knee and ankle muscle groups were measured along with postural control outcomes. Analyses were conducted based on the “affected” and “non-affected” leg within-group and between-groups. Between-groups analysis demonstrated a statistically lower strength of trunk muscles (range: 35.8–29.3%, p < 0.001), knee extensors (20.8%, p = 0.005) and knee flexors (17.4%, p = 0.020) in PFP participants. Within-group analysis proved an 8.7% (p = 0.018) greater hip internal rotation strength and ankle extension flexibility (p = 0.032) of the “affected side” in PFP participants. This was, to our knowledge, the first study to investigate the strength of all trunk muscle groups. The results indicate that participants with PFP exhibit impaired strength of trunk muscle groups, along with knee muscle deficits, which may present a rehabilitation target. Clinicians should consider implementing trunk strengthening exercises into PFP programs along with knee-targeting exercise programs.
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Kozinc Ž, Smajla D, Šarabon N. The rate of force development scaling factor: a review of underlying factors, assessment methods and potential for practical applications. Eur J Appl Physiol 2022; 122:861-873. [DOI: 10.1007/s00421-022-04889-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Investigation of Inter-Limb Symmetry in Knee Extensors Using Different Strength Outcome Measures. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11101882. [PMID: 34679579 PMCID: PMC8534974 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11101882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle performance between contra-lateral knee extensors is most often assessed using maximal test for isometric/isokinetic torque evaluation. Recently, the rate of force development scaling factor (RFD-SF) has been used to evaluate neuromuscular capacity with a range of submaximal target peak torques, which could highlight other aspects of inter-limb (a)symmetry. The aim of our study was to investigate the differences, associations, and agreement between inter-limb symmetries of knee extensors using maximal torque (Tmax) rate of torque development (RTD), slope of the RFD-SF regression line (k), and theoretical peak of RTD (TPRTD). A total of 236 young, healthy athletes participated in the cross-sectional study. All participants performed unilateral knee extension (maximal voluntary contraction protocol and RFD-SF protocol) with both legs in the isometric knee dynamometer. Inter-limb symmetries were calculated for each outcome measure. Our results showed significant differences between all symmetry values (Tmax (91.7%), RTD (85.2%), k (94.2%), TPRTD (95.9%)). Significant strong correlations were found between symmetry values calculated from k and TPRTD (r = 0.88, p < 0.001), while weak correlation was found between Tmax and RTD (r = 0.17, p < 0.01. Fair agreement regarding leg dominance was found between Tmax and RTD values. Our results suggest that inter-limb (a)symmetries are metric- and task-specific.
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Smajla D, Žitnik J, Šarabon N. Quantification of Inter-Limb Symmetries With Rate of Force Development and Relaxation Scaling Factor. Front Physiol 2021; 12:679322. [PMID: 34234690 PMCID: PMC8255989 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.679322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The inter-limb (a)symmetries have been most often assessed with the tests that quantify the maximal muscle capacity. However, the rapid force production and relaxation during submaximal tasks is equally important for successful sports performance. This can be evaluated with an established rate of force development and relaxation scaling factor (RFD-SF/RFR-SF). The aims of our study were (1) to assess the intra-session reliability of shortened RFD-SF/RFR-SF protocol and its absolute and symmetry outcome measures, (2) to compare the main absolute RFD-SF/RFR-SF outcome measures (slopes of RFD-SF and RFR-SF: kRTD-SF and kRFR-SF, theoretical peak RFD/RFR: TPRFD and TPRFR) across gender and sports groups, and (3) to compare inter-limb symmetries across gender and sports groups for main outcome measures (kRFD-SF, kRFR-SF, TPRFD, and TPRFR). A cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of young health participants (basketball and tennis players, and students): 30 in the reliability study and 248 in the comparison study. Our results showed good to excellent relative and excellent absolute reliability for the selected absolute and symmetry outcome measures (kRFD-SF, kRFR-SF, TPRFD, and TPRFR). We found significantly higher absolute values for kRFD-SF and TPRFD in males compared to females for the preferred (kRFD-SF: 9.1 ± 0.9 vs. 8.6 ± 0.9/s) and the non-preferred leg (kRFD-SF: 9.1 ± 0.9 vs. 8.5 ± 0.8/s), while there was no effect of sport. Significantly lower symmetry values for kRFR-SF (88.4 ± 8.6 vs. 90.4 ± 8.0%) and TPRFR (90.9 ± 6.8 vs. 92.5 ± 6.0%) were found in males compared to females. Moreover, tennis players had significantly higher symmetry values for kRFR-SF (91.1 ± 7.7%) and TPRFR (93.1 ± 6.0%) compared to basketball players (kRFR-SF: 88.4 ± 8.7% and TPRFR: 90.9 ± 6.7%) and students (kRFR-SF: 87.6 ± 8.7% and TPRFR: 90.5 ± 6.7%). Our results suggest that the reduced RFD-SF/RFR-SF protocol is a valuable and useful tool for inter-limb (a)symmetry evaluation. Differences in symmetry values in kRFR-SF and TPRFR (relaxation phase) were found between different sports groups. These may be explained by different mechanisms underlying the muscle contraction and relaxation. We suggest that muscle contraction and relaxation should be assessed for in-depth inter-limb symmetry investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darjan Smajla
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
- Human Health Department, InnoRenew CoE, Izola, Slovenia
| | - Jure Žitnik
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
- Human Health Department, InnoRenew CoE, Izola, Slovenia
| | - Nejc Šarabon
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia
- Human Health Department, InnoRenew CoE, Izola, Slovenia
- Andrej Marušič Institute, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia
- S2P, Science to Practice, Ltd., Laboratory for Motor Control and Motor Behavior, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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