-
1.
Relationship of Limb Lengths and Body Composition to Lifting in Weightlifting.
Vidal Pérez, D, Martínez-Sanz, JM, Ferriz-Valero, A, Gómez-Vicente, V, Ausó, E
International journal of environmental research and public health. 2021;(2)
Abstract
Weightlifting is a discipline where technique and anthropometric characteristics are essential to achieve the best results in competitions. This study aims to analyse the relationships between body composition, limb length and barbell kinematics in the performance of weightlifters. It consists of an observational and descriptive study of 19 athletes (12 men [28.50 ± 6.37 years old; 84.58 ± 14.11 kg; 176.18 ± 6.85 cm] and 7 women [27.71 ± 6.34 years old; 64.41 ± 7.63 kg; 166.94 ± 4.11 cm]) who met the inclusion criteria. A level I anthropometrist took anthropometric measures according to the methodology of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK), and the measurement of the barbell velocity was made with the software Kinovea. In terms of body composition, both genders are within the percentage range of fat mass recommended for this sport. In female weightlifters, there is a positive correlation between foot length, maximal velocity in the Snatch (ρ = 0.775, p = 0.041), and performance indicator in the Snatch and the Clean & Jerk (ρ = 0.964, p < 0.001; ρ = 0.883, p = 0.008, respectively). In male weightlifters, a positive correlation between tibial length and average velocity of the barbell in the Snatch is observed (ρ = 0.848, p < 0.001). Muscle mass percentage correlates positively with performance indicator in both techniques (ρ = 0.634, p = 0.027; ρ = 0.720, p = 0.008). Also, the relative length of the upper limb is negatively correlated with the performance indicator (ρ = -0.602, p = 0.038). Anthropometry and body composition may facilitate skill acquisition among this sport population, contributing to increase the limited body of scientific knowledge related to weightlifting.
-
2.
Unilateral Quadriceps Fatigue Induces Greater Impairments of Ipsilateral versus Contralateral Elbow Flexors and Plantar Flexors Performance in Physically Active Young Adults.
Whitten, JHD, Hodgson, DD, Drinkwater, EJ, Prieske, O, Aboodarda, SJ, Behm, DG
Journal of sports science & medicine. 2021;(2):300-309
Abstract
Non-local muscle fatigue (NLMF) studies have examined crossover impairments of maximal voluntary force output in non-exercised, contralateral muscles as well as comparing upper and lower limb muscles. Since prior studies primarily investigated contralateral muscles, the purpose of this study was to compare NLMF effects on elbow flexors (EF) and plantar flexors (PF) force and activation (electromyography: EMG). Secondly, possible differences when testing ipsilateral or contralateral muscles with a single or repeated isometric maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) were also investigated. Twelve participants (six males: (27.3 ± 2.5 years, 186.0 ± 2.2 cm, 91.0 ± 4.1 kg; six females: 23.0 ± 1.6 years, 168.2 ± 6.7 cm, 60.0 ± 4.3 kg) attended six randomized sessions where ipsilateral or contralateral PF or EF MVC force and EMG activity (root mean square) were tested following a dominant knee extensors (KE) fatigue intervention (2×100s MVC) or equivalent rest (control). Testing involving a single MVC (5s) was completed by the ipsilateral or contralateral PF or EF prior to and immediately post-interventions. One minute after the post-intervention single MVC, a 12×5s MVCs fatigue test was completed. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs revealed that ipsilateral EF post-fatigue force was lower (-6.6%, p = 0.04, d = 0.18) than pre-fatigue with no significant changes in the contralateral or control conditions. EF demonstrated greater fatigue indexes for the ipsilateral (9.5%, p = 0.04, d = 0.75) and contralateral (20.3%, p < 0.01, d = 1.50) EF over the PF, respectively. There were no significant differences in PF force, EMG or EF EMG post-test or during the MVCs fatigue test. The results suggest that NLMF effects are side and muscle specific where prior KE fatigue could hinder subsequent ipsilateral upper body performance and thus is an important consideration for rehabilitation, recreation and athletic programs.
-
3.
Different Foot Positioning During Calf Training to Induce Portion-Specific Gastrocnemius Muscle Hypertrophy.
Nunes, JP, Costa, BDV, Kassiano, W, Kunevaliki, G, Castro-E-Souza, P, Rodacki, ALF, Fortes, LS, Cyrino, ES
Journal of strength and conditioning research. 2020;(8):2347-2351
Abstract
Nunes, JP, Costa, BDV, Kassiano, W, Kunevaliki, G, Castro-e-Souza, P, Rodacki, ALF, Fortes, LS, and Cyrino, ES. Different foot positioning during calf training to induce portion-specific gastrocnemius muscle hypertrophy. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2347-2351, 2020-The aim of this study was to compare the changes in gastrocnemius muscle thickness (MT) between conditions such as which foot was pointed outward (FPO), foot was pointed inward (FPI), or foot was pointed forward (FPF). Twenty-two young men (23 ± 4 years) were selected and performed a whole-body resistance training program 3 times per week for 9 weeks, with differences in the exercise specific for calves. The calf-raise exercise was performed unilaterally, in a pin-loaded seated horizontal leg-press machine, in 3 sets of 20-25 repetitions for training weeks 1-3 and 4 sets for weeks 4-9. Each subject's leg was randomly assigned for 1 of the 3 groups according to the foot position: FPO, FPI, and FPF. Measurements with a B-mode ultrasound were performed to assess changes in MT of medial and lateral gastrocnemius heads. After the training period, there were observed increases in MT of both medial (FPO = 8.4%, FPI = 3.8%, and FPF = 5.8%) and lateral (FPO = 5.5%, FPI = 9.1%, and FPF = 6.4%) gastrocnemius heads, and significant differences for magnitude of the gains were observed between FPO and FPI conditions (p < 0.05). Positioning FPO potentiated the increases in MT of the medial gastrocnemius head, whereas FPI provided greater gains for the lateral gastrocnemius head. Our results suggest that head-specific muscle hypertrophy may be obtained selectively for gastrocnemius after 9 weeks of calf training in young male adults.
-
4.
Effect of habitual foot-strike pattern on the gastrocnemius medialis muscle-tendon interaction and muscle force production during running.
Swinnen, W, Hoogkamer, W, Delabastita, T, Aeles, J, De Groote, F, Vanwanseele, B
Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985). 2019;(3):708-716
Abstract
The interaction between gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle and Achilles tendon, i.e., muscle-tendon unit (MTU) interaction, plays an important role in minimizing the metabolic cost of running. Foot-strike pattern (FSP) has been suggested to alter MTU interaction and subsequently the metabolic cost of running. However, metabolic data from experimental studies on FSP are inconsistent, and a comparison of MTU interaction between FSP is still lacking. We, therefore, investigated the effect of habitual rearfoot and mid-/forefoot striking on MTU interaction, ankle joint work, and plantar flexor muscle force production while running at 10 and 14 km/h. GM muscle fascicles of 9 rearfoot and 10 mid-/forefoot strikers were tracked using dynamic ultrasonography during treadmill running. We collected kinetic and kinematic data and used musculoskeletal models to determine joint angles and calculate MTU lengths. In addition, we used dynamic optimization to assess plantar flexor muscle forces. During ground contact, GM fascicle shortening ( P = 0.02) and average contraction velocity ( P = 0.01) were 40-45% greater in rearfoot strikers than mid-/forefoot strikers. Differences in contraction velocity were especially prominent during early ground contact. Moreover, GM ( P = 0.02) muscle force was greater during early ground contact in mid-/forefoot strikers than rearfoot strikers. Interestingly, we did not find differences in stretch or recoil of the series elastic element between FSP. Our results suggest that, for the GM, the reduced muscle energy cost associated with lower fascicle contraction velocity in mid-/forefoot strikers may be counteracted by greater muscle forces during early ground contact. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Kinetic and kinematic differences between foot-strike patterns during running imply (not previously reported) altered muscle-tendon interaction. Here, we studied muscle-tendon interaction using ultrasonography. We found greater fascicle contraction velocities and lower muscle forces in rearfoot compared with mid-/forefoot strikers. Our results suggest that the higher metabolic energy demand due to greater fascicle contraction velocities might offset the lower metabolic energy demand due to lower muscle forces in rearfoot compared with mid-/forefoot strikers.
-
5.
Reliability of a novel thermal imaging system for temperature assessment of healthy feet.
Petrova, NL, Whittam, A, MacDonald, A, Ainarkar, S, Donaldson, AN, Bevans, J, Allen, J, Plassmann, P, Kluwe, B, Ring, F, et al
Journal of foot and ankle research. 2018;:22
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thermal imaging is a useful modality for identifying preulcerative lesions ("hot spots") in diabetic foot patients. Despite its recognised potential, at present, there is no readily available instrument for routine podiatric assessment of patients at risk. To address this need, a novel thermal imaging system was recently developed. This paper reports the reliability of this device for temperature assessment of healthy feet. METHODS Plantar skin foot temperatures were measured with the novel thermal imaging device (Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention System (DFUPS), constructed by Photometrix Imaging Ltd) and also with a hand-held infrared spot thermometer (Thermofocus® 01500A3, Tecnimed, Italy) after 20 min of barefoot resting with legs supported and extended in 105 subjects (52 males and 53 females; age range 18 to 69 years) as part of a multicentre clinical trial. The temperature differences between the right and left foot at five regions of interest (ROIs), including 1st and 4th toes, 1st, 3rd and 5th metatarsal heads were calculated. The intra-instrument agreement (three repeated measures) and the inter-instrument agreement (hand-held thermometer and thermal imaging device) were quantified using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Both devices showed almost perfect agreement in replication by instrument. The intra-instrument ICCs for the thermal imaging device at all five ROIs ranged from 0.95 to 0.97 and the intra-instrument ICCs for the hand-held-thermometer ranged from 0.94 to 0.97. There was substantial to perfect inter-instrument agreement between the hand-held thermometer and the thermal imaging device and the ICCs at all five ROIs ranged between 0.94 and 0.97. CONCLUSIONS This study reports the performance of a novel thermal imaging device in the assessment of foot temperatures in healthy volunteers in comparison with a hand-held infrared thermometer. The newly developed thermal imaging device showed very good agreement in repeated temperature assessments at defined ROIs as well as substantial to perfect agreement in temperature assessment with the hand-held infrared thermometer. In addition to the reported non-inferior performance in temperature assessment, the thermal imaging device holds the potential to provide an instantaneous thermal image of all sites of the feet (plantar, dorsal, lateral and medial views). TRIAL REGISTRATION Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention System NCT02317835, registered December 10, 2014.
-
6.
Fat mass, but not fat-free mass, predicts increased foot pain with obesity, independent of bariatric surgery.
Walsh, TP, Quinn, SJ, Evans, AM, Yaxley, A, Chisholm, JA, Kow, L, Shanahan, EM
Surgery for obesity and related diseases : official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. 2018;(9):1389-1395
Abstract
BACKGROUND Foot pain is a common manifestation of obesity. OBJECTIVE To determine if bariatric surgery is associated with a reduction in foot pain and if body mass index (BMI) or body composition predict a change in foot pain. SETTING University hospital. METHODS Participants with foot pain awaiting bariatric surgery were recruited for this prospective study. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine predictors of change in foot pain between baseline and 6-month follow-up using body composition (fat mass index and fat-free mass index) or BMI, adjusting for, depression, age, sex, and group (surgery versus control). RESULTS Forty-five participants (38 female), mean ± standard deviation age of 45.7 ± 9.4 years, were recruited for this study. Twenty-nine participants mean ± standard deviation BMI of 44.8 ± 7.0 kg underwent bariatric surgery, while 16 participants mean ± standard deviation BMI of 47.9 ± 5.2 kg were on the waiting list (control). One participant was lost to follow-up. The treatment group lost a mean of 24.3 kg (95% confidence interval [CI] 21.1-27.5), while the control group gained 1.2 kg (95% CI -2.5 to 4.9), respectively. In multivariable analysis, bariatric surgery was significantly associated with reduced foot pain at 6-month follow-up -32.6 points (95% CI -43.8 to -21.4, P < .001), while fat mass index was significantly associated with increased pain at follow-up 1.5 points (95% CI .2 to 2.8, P = .027), after controlling for fat-free mass index, age, sex, and depression. CONCLUSIONS Bariatric surgery was significantly associated with reduced foot pain. Higher baseline fat mass index, but not fat-free mass index or BMI, was predictive of increased foot pain at follow-up. Foot pain may be mediated by metabolic, rather than mechanical, factors in bariatric surgery candidates.
-
7.
Herbal Medicines for Cold Hypersensitivity in the Hands and Feet: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Yu, JS, Lee, D, Hyun, D, Chang, SJ
Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 2018;(12):1150-1158
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
Objectives: Cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF) and Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) are prevalent among Asian populations, especially among women, who exhibit a higher rate of cold hypersensitivity that may be associated with gynecological problems. In several countries, herbal medicine has effectively treated cold hypersensitivity symptoms. This systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of herbal medicine for the treatment of CHHF in adults. Design: Through March 31, 2018, comprehensive databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Chinese Academic Journal, and Japanese National Institute of Informatics, to identify relevant studies and extract data. Outcome measures: Primary: total effective rate (TER); secondary: skin temperature, peripheral blood flow, adverse events. Results: Fourteen randomized controlled trials (n = 974) were included. Thirteen studies with dichotomous values showed a significant reduction in CHHF and RP (risk ratio 0.31, 0.24-0.40) when comparing herbal medicine with/without Western medicine, and no treatment or Western medicine alone. Reductions in CHHF and RP were also observed between herbal medicine plus Western medicine and Western medicine alone (risk ratio 0.45, 0.24-0.86), as well as between herbal medicine and Western medicine alone (risk ratio 0.30, 0.21-0.41). In the only study using a placebo arm, herbal medicine was found to be superior to placebo in increasing skin temperature and peripheral blood flow. Six participants exhibited minor adverse drug reactions. Herbal medicine showed a superior TER, especially when combined with Western medicine, to Western medicine alone or placebo. However, there was a high risk of bias within all studies. Conclusion: Although herbal medicine shows potential to be a safe and effective treatment for CHHF and RP, the high risk of bias in all studies prevents definitive conclusions; thus, higher quality studies must be performed.
-
8.
Integration of Wearable Sensors Into the Evaluation of Running Economy and Foot Mechanics in Elite Runners.
Muniz-Pardos, B, Sutehall, S, Gellaerts, J, Falbriard, M, Mariani, B, Bosch, A, Asrat, M, Schaible, J, Pitsiladis, YP
Current sports medicine reports. 2018;(12):480-488
Abstract
Running economy, known as the steady-state oxygen consumption at a given submaximal intensity, has been proposed as one of the key factors differentiating East African runners from other running communities around the world. Kenyan runners have dominated middle- and long-distance running events and this phenomenon has been attributed, in part at least, to their exceptional running economy. Despite such speculation, there are no data on running mechanics during real-life situations such as during training or competition. The use of innovative wearable devices together with real-time analysis of data will represent a paradigm shift in the study of running biomechanics and could potentially help explain the outstanding performances of certain athletes. For example, the integration of foot worn inertial sensors into the training and racing of athletes will enable coaches and researchers to investigate foot mechanics (e.g., an accurate set of variables such as pitch and eversion angles, cadence, symmetry, contact and flight times or swing times) during real-life activities and facilitate feedback in real-time. The same technological approach also can be used to help the athlete, coach, sports physician, and sport scientist make better informed decisions in terms of performance and efficacy of interventions, treatments or injury prevention; a kind of "telesport" equivalent to "telemedicine." There also is the opportunity to use this real-time technology to advance broadcasting of sporting events with the transmission of real-time performance metrics and in doing so enhance the level of entertainment, interest, and engagement of enthusiasts in the broadcast and the sport. Such technological advances that are able to unobtrusively augment personal experience and interaction, represent an unprecedented opportunity to transform the world of sport for participants, spectators, and all relevant stakeholders.
-
9.
Treadmill training with an incline reduces ankle joint stiffness and improves active range of movement during gait in adults with cerebral palsy.
Lorentzen, J, Kirk, H, Fernandez-Lago, H, Frisk, R, Scharff Nielsen, N, Jorsal, M, Nielsen, JB
Disability and rehabilitation. 2017;(10):987-993
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated if 30 min of daily treadmill training with an incline for 6 weeks would reduce ankle joint stiffness and improve active range of movement in adults with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS The study was designed as a randomized controlled clinical trial including 32 adults with CP (GMFCS 1-3) aged 38.1 SD 12 years. The training group (n = 16) performed uphill treadmill training at home daily for 30 min for 6 weeks in addition to their usual activities. Passive and reflex mediated stiffness and range of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, kinematic and functional measures of gait were obtained before and after the intervention/control period. Intervention subjects trained 31.4 SD 10.1 days for 29.0 SD 2.3 min (total) 15.2 h. RESULTS Passive ankle joint stiffness was reduced (F = 5.1; p = 0.031), maximal gait speed increased (F = 42.8, p < 0.001), amplitude of toe lift prior to heel strike increased (F = 5.3, p < 0.03) and ankle angle at heel strike was decreased (F = 12.5; p < 0.001) significant in the training group as compared to controls. CONCLUSION Daily treadmill training with an incline for 6 weeks reduces ankle joint stiffness and increases active ROM during gait in adults with CP. Intensive gait training may thus be beneficial in preventing and reducing contractures and help to maintain functional gait ability in adults with CP. Implications for rehabilitation Uphill gait training is an effective way to reduce ankle joint stiffness in adult with contractures. 6 weeks of daily uphill gait training improves functional gait parameters such as gait speed and dorsal flexion during gait in adults with cerebral palsy.
-
10.
The effect of age and speed on foot and ankle kinematics assessed using a 4-segment foot model.
van Hoeve, S, Leenstra, B, Willems, P, Poeze, M, Meijer, K
Medicine. 2017;(35):e7907
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of age and speed on foot and ankle kinematics in gait studies using foot models are not fully understood, whereas this can have significant influence. We analyzed these variables with the 4-segment Oxford foot model. METHODS Twenty-one healthy subjects (aged 20-65 years) were recruited for gait analysis. The effect of speed on foot and ankle kinematics was assessed by comparing results during slow walking and fast walking. To assess the effect of age, a group of 13 healthy young adults (aged 20-24 years) were compared with a group of 8 older adults (aged 53-65 years). Also, the interaction between age and speed was analyzed. RESULTS Regarding speed, there was a significant difference between forefoot/hindfoot motion in the sagittal plane (flexion/extension) during both loading- and push-off phase (P = .004, P < .001). Between hindfoot/tibia, there was a significant difference for all parameters except for motion in the sagittal plane (flexion/extension) during push-off phase (P = .5). Age did not significantly influence kinematics. There was no interaction between age and speed. CONCLUSION Our analysis found that speed significantly influenced the kinematic outcome parameters. This was more pronounced in the ankle joint. In contrast, no significant differences were found between younger and older healthy subjects.