Effect of Expiration Muscle Exercise Using Positive Expiratory Pressure in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

In this COVID-19 pandemic era, it is important to obtain objective expiratory muscle strength measurement in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients (COPD).

Knee strength measurement: Can we switch between isokinetic dynamometers?

BACKGROUND: Isokinetic evaluation is considered the gold standard in muscle strength measurement due to its sensitivity, intra-dynamometer reproducibility and usefulness in the injury prevention screening and follow up of subjects with musculoskeletal pathologies, neurological disease or after surgical operation. However, can one switch among different isokinetic dynamometers for the purpose of knee muscles evaluation? OBJECTIVES: To comprehensively evaluate the compatibility of the isokinetic short concentric and eccentric strength evaluation protocol and of the fatigability resistance evaluation between three different isokinetic devices. METHODS: Eighteen recreationally active men underwent three isokinetic knee testing sessions on three different isokinetic devices with 7–10 days of rest between each session. Relative (Pearson’s r product-moment correlation coefficient – PCC) and absolute (standard error of measurement – SEM, Cohen effect sizes (d) and probabilistic inferences – MBI) parameters of reproducibility were determined to assess the inter-dynamometer agreement. RESULTS: For the short concentric and eccentric strength evaluation protocol, the extensors in concentric mode and the flexors in eccentric mode can be compared (eventually with transposition formulas provided) between Biodex, Con-Trex and Cybex (almost all PCC ⩾ 0.80). The DCR could be compared between Con-Trex and Cybex and between Biodex and Cybex pairs (eventually with transposition formula provided). For the fatigability resistance evaluation protocol, the total sum can be compared for extensors (eventually with transposition formulas provided) for PM for all dynamometer pairs considered and, in the case of MW, only for Biodex and Con-Trex (PCC ⩾ 0.80). CONCLUSIONS: Only some of the parameters derived either from the short concentric and eccentric strength evaluation protocol or the fatigability resistance evaluation protocol may be interchangeable providing transposition formulas are applied. Otherwise, isokinetic findings are largely system-dependent save some specific instances.

Portable, One-Dimensional, Trunk-Flexor Muscle Strength Measurement System

Trunk-flexor muscle strength plays a fundamental role in athletic performance, but objective measurements are usually obtained using expensive and nonportable equipment, such as isokinetic dynamometers. The aim of this study was to assess the concurrent validity of a portable, one-dimensional, trunk-flexor muscle strength measurement system (Measurement System) that uses calibrated barbells and the reliability of the measurements obtained using the Measurement System, by conducting test–retests. As a complementary assessment, the measurements obtained during a maximum contraction test performed by a group of 15 subjects were also recorded. Four conditions were assessed: repeatability, time reproducibility, position reproducibility, and subject reproducibility. The results demonstrate that both the concurrent validity and the measured reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient > .98) of the Measurement System are acceptable. The Measurement System provides valid and reliable measures of trunk-flexor muscle strength.

Posturography table is a good test to evaluate the anterior cruciate Ligament reconstruction?

Introduction: The success of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is assessed using subjective and functional scores, as well as measurements of knee laxity. The latter is often quantified using instrumented laximetry devices, which measure ‘static’ anterior tibial translation, though recent studies suggested more comprehensive “dynamic” analyses such as jump tests. To facilitate and improve dynamic stability analyses, a proprioception table was adapted to evaluate knees before and after ACLR, though the accuracy and pertinence of its measurement have not yet been demonstrated. Objectives: To determine whether proprioceptive analysis following ACLR provides meaningful and helpful information to guide surgeons and physiotherapists with postoperative rehabilitation and return to sports. Methods: We conducted a prospective study, on a population of 50 amateur or professional sports patients, who received ACLR by the one surgeon (FW). Preoperative and 6-months assessments included GnRB laxity analysis and proprioceptive dynamic stability analysis, with evaluation of the bearing area under 6 different conditions: open eyes (C1), closed eyes (C2), vision distorted by virtual reality headset (C3), open eyes on unstable support (C4), closed eyes on unstable support (C5) and distorted vison on unstable support (C6); a calculation of the C4/C1 ratio enabled appreciation of visual compensations in the proprioceptive capacity, and dependence on visual inference (low ratios indicate greater recourse to visual afference). A complementary analysis of muscular strength by isokinetic assessment was also performed at 6 months followup. Results: There was a significant improvement in proprioception table stability at 6 months compared to the preoperative condition at the C4 (470 vs 440 mm2), C5 (1710 vs 1315 mm2) and C6 (1330 vs 1210 mm2) assessments. For 32 patients evaluated by GnRB, differential laxity at 6 months was less than 5 mm at 200 N, and isokinetic muscle strength measurement was less than 20% different between the knee healthy and the operated knee, or between quadriceps and hamstrings. Proprioceptive quality was variable, with significant visual offsets in some cases (C4/C1 ratio, 0.5 to 16.2). Conclusion: Patients, who have good results in laximeter tests and isokinetic muscle strength measurement, may have a poor proporioception quality with significant visual offsets. The proprioception analysis at 6 months following ACLR could therefore be important to consider rehabilitation and sports recovery.