Impact of sleeve gastrectomy on hip structural analysis in adolescents and young adults with obesity

BackgroundSleeve gastrectomy (SG), the most commonly performed metabolic and bariatric surgery, is associated with reductions in areal bone mineral density at multiple sites, and changes in bone structure at the distal radius and tibia without reductions in strength estimates at these peripheral sites. Data are lacking regarding effects on hip strength estimates.ObjectiveTo evaluate effects of SG on measures of hip structural analysis in adolescents and young adults over 12 months using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.SettingsTranslational and Clinical Research Center.MethodsWe enrolled 48 youth 14- to 22-years old with moderate-to-severe obesity; 24 underwent SG and 24 controls were followed without surgery (18 females, 6 males in each group). Hip structure was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline and 12 months. Analyses are adjusted for age, sex, race, and the baseline bone measure.ResultsThe SG group lost 25.9% weight versus .3% in controls. Compared with controls, SG had reductions in narrow neck, intertrochanteric and femoral shaft bone mineral density Z-scores (P ≤ .012). Furthermore, SG had greater reductions in narrow neck and intertrochanteric region (but not femoral shaft) cross-sectional area, cortical thickness, cross-sectional moment of inertia and section modulus, and increases in buckling ratio (P ≤ .039). Differences were attenuated after adjusting for 12-month body mass index change. At 12 months, differences were minimal after adjusting for age, sex, race, and weight.ConclusionsOver 12 months, SG had negative effects at the narrow neck and intertrochanteric regions of the hip, but not the femoral shaft. Reduced body mass index may compensate for these deleterious effects on bone.     

Effects of Kinesio tape application to trunk isokinetic strength in female participants

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to analyse the effects of KT on trunk strength with respect to different angular speeds when applied to the trunks of healthy women. Forty healthy female participants were randomly distributed into two groups: the placebo group (PG) in which placebo KT was applied and the experimental group (EG). Participants’ trunk concentric flexion and extension muscle strength were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer in two different angular speeds (60°/s ? 180°/s). In both PG and EG groups, there was no significant difference measured immediately after taping at the two angular speed values. In the measurements taken 48 h later, as regards PG trunk flexion, extension muscle strength increased significantly (p = 0.0001) at 60°/sc. angular speed while, for the EG only, the strength of trunk extension muscle increased significantly (p = 0.002). It was observed, that to ensure an increase in strength, waiting for a certain length of time was required. Lower angular speeds and short-term applied KT improved the strength of the trunk extension muscle.     

Low-dose-rate iodine-125 seed air kerma strength measurement intercomparison

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the rate of compliance of air kerma strength (AKS) measurements of iodine-125 (I-125) seeds with international recommendations by departments in Australia and determine the potential impact of noncompliance.Methods and MaterialsTo achieve this aim, we present an intercomparison of AKS measurements for a single I-125 seed performed by 11 radiotherapy departments in Australia. Measurements were performed at two sites, with each participating department traveling to one of the two host sites and measuring the AKS using their own equipment and local protocols. Each of the AKS measurements was compared with each other and the manufacturer-certified AKS.ResultsNine of the 11 participating departments measured AKS fell within ±3% of the manufacturer's calibration certificate value, whereas all participating departments measured AKS within ±5% of the manufacturer's calibration certificate value. The total spread of the measured AKS among the 11 departments was 7.7%. Only two of the 11 participating departments complied with international recommendations and had their well chamber calibrated within the last 2 years. In addition, 2 of the 11 departments used a well chamber calibrated that was calibrated with a different seed model used during the intercomparison, whereas 4 of the 11 departments calibrated their well chamber “in-house” using a factory-calibrated seed provided by the seed manufacturer.ConclusionsA significant variation in the methods used and frequency of calibration of well chambers were observed among the participating departments. The results of this study support the international recommendations on frequency and methodology of well chamber calibration. Failure to follow these recommendations significantly increases the uncertainty in AKS measurement of I-125 seeds.     

Knee isokinetic muscle strength and balance ratio in female soccer players of different age groups: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Background: As a consequence of years of soccer training and sexual maturation, there is an increase in lower body muscle mass and strength especially in the knee extensors and flexors muscles. In this context, the lack of knee joint stability, resulting from strength imbalance between knee extensor and flexors muscles, has been associated with knee injuries. The aim of this study was to compare the knee flexor and extensor muscle peak torque, average power, contralateral deficit, conventional and functional balance ratios of female soccer players from different age groups.

Methods: Sixty-six female soccer players were divided into four groups: under 13 (U13), under 15 (U15), under 17 (U17) years old and professional (PRO). Flexor and extensor knee muscle strength in concentric and eccentric actions of both limbs were assessed using isokinetic dynamometer.

Results: For the dominant limb, the knee concentric extensor muscles peak torques, assessed at 60 and at 240 deg/sec, and the average power of U15 group were significantly higher than U13 group. Extensor muscle average power of the PRO group was higher than U17. Dominant knee flexor average power of U15 was significantly higher than the U13 group. Peak torque at 60 deg/sec and 240 deg/sec and average power of the PRO group were higher than the U17 group. No differences were found regarding the eccentric action for flexor and extensor muscles. Conventional and functional balance ratios were similar among all age group, except for U13, which presented higher values than the U15 group for the dominant limb.

Conclusions: The greatest improvement in muscular performance occur when the athlete starts practicing soccer (after U13) and when they become professional (after U17) and the balance ratios, and muscle balance ratios remain stable in all age groups, although they are below the recommended level in the literature, which may increase the risk for lower limb injury.     

Muscle strength is related to mental and physical quality of life in the oldest old

Purpose of the studyQuality of life represents the principal outcome of health interventions for the oldest old. However, little is known about the determinants of quality of life in this population stratum. We evaluated the association between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and handgrip strength in a cohort of 331 participants aged 90+ with a living in the Mugello area (Tuscany, Italy).Design and methodsHRQoL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 (SF12), considering the Physical Composite Score (PCS) and the Mental Composite Score (MCS) of the SF-12. Muscle strength was tested by hand grip dynamometry.ResultsThe median MCS was 46.9, while the median PCS was 43.0. According to logistic regression, muscle strength was associated with increased probability of better PCS (OR = 1.05; 95 % CI = 1.01–1.10, P = .042), and better MCS (OR = 1.05; 95 % CI = 1.01–1.10, P = .036), after adjusting.ImplicationMuscle strength is associated with both physical and mental HRQoL among nonagenarians. Further studies are needed to explore the subsystems involved in this association, and whether improving muscle performance might improve global mental and physical quality of life in the most advanced age.     

Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia: 2019 Consensus Update on Sarcopenia Diagnosis and Treatment

Clinical and research interest in sarcopenia has burgeoned internationally, Asia included. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2014 consensus defined sarcopenia as “age-related loss of muscle mass, plus low muscle strength, and/or low physical performance” and specified cutoffs for each diagnostic component; research in Asia consequently flourished, prompting this update. AWGS 2019 retains the previous definition of sarcopenia but revises the diagnostic algorithm, protocols, and some criteria: low muscle strength is defined as handgrip strength <28 kg for men and <18 kg for women; criteria for low physical performance are 6-m walk <1.0 m/s, Short Physical Performance Battery score ≤9, or 5-time chair stand test ≥12 seconds. AWGS 2019 retains the original cutoffs for height-adjusted muscle mass: dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, <7.0 kg/m² in men and <5.4 kg/m² in women; and bioimpedance, <7.0 kg/m² in men and <5.7 kg/m² in women. In addition, the AWGS 2019 update proposes separate algorithms for community vs hospital settings, which both begin by screening either calf circumference (<34 cm in men, <33 cm in women), SARC-F (≥4), or SARC-CalF (≥11), to facilitate earlier identification of people at risk for sarcopenia. Although skeletal muscle strength and mass are both still considered fundamental to a definitive clinical diagnosis, AWGS 2019 also introduces “possible sarcopenia,” defined by either low muscle strength or low physical performance only, specifically for use in primary health care or community-based health promotion, to enable earlier lifestyle interventions. Although defining sarcopenia by body mass index–adjusted muscle mass instead of height-adjusted muscle mass may predict adverse outcomes better, more evidence is needed before changing current recommendations. Lifestyle interventions, especially exercise and nutritional supplementation, prevail as mainstays of treatment. Further research is needed to investigate potential long-term benefits of lifestyle interventions, nutritional supplements, or pharmacotherapy for sarcopenia in Asians.     

易筋经与核心稳定性训练的比较分析

对易筋经与核心稳定性训练的锻炼方式及作用效果的研究进行比较分析。从两者的训练状态及对形体、呼吸、意识的调节方式入手,并结合其在增强肌力、提高平衡力、预防运动损伤方面所起的共同疗效进行深入思考,探讨易筋经锻炼可能对人体核心稳定性的影响,为进一步研究易筋经的作用机制提供理论依据。