Electromyographic evaluation of spine and lower extremity muscles during repeated and sustained bodyweight deep-squat

Introduction. Squat is a preferred exercise included in strengthening and rehabilitation protocols due to its ability to recruit large muscles of the spine and lower extremities. Speed of performing movement and regular practice are known to influence muscle activation. However, muscle activation during fast-repeated bodyweight deep-squat and sustained deep squat remains less explored. Aim of Study. This study aimed at exploring muscle activation during fast and sustained bodyweight squat and observing the effect of habitual squat exposure on spine and lower extremity muscle strength and activation. Material and Methods. Forty healthy adults (30-45 years), with varying daily squat exposure, were recruited for this cross-sectional study following an institutional ethical approval. Superficial electromyography of the erector spinae, rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris and the gastrocnemius was recorded during a single controlled squat, repeated fast squat and sustained squat. Muscle strength was evaluated using a trunk-leg dynamometer. Results. Higher muscle activity was observed during the ascent phase (81-240% MVC) and the descent phase (76-292% MVC) ofa single squat, whereas the sustaining squat demanded low muscle activity (27-58% MVC). Repeated fast squatting elicited 2.5--10 times greater muscle activation than sustained squat. Muscle activity did not vary significantly among people with varying squat exposure. A moderately strong negative correlation was observed between deep squat repetitions and age (r = –0.710,p ≤ 0.001), whereas a moderate positive correlation was observed between deep squat repetitions and force developed during trunk and leg dynamometry (r = 0.610, p < 0.001, r = 0.654, p < 0.001, respectively). Substantial co-activation of the erector spinae–rectus abdominis, biceps femoris–vastus lateralis and gluteus maximus–gluteus medius was observed during fast repeated squat. Conclusions. Repeated, dynamic, bodyweightdeep-squatting exercises elicited greater muscle activation compared to sustained squat. Exercises over and above habitual activities of daily living involving sustained squatting are essential to obtain greater benefits in muscle strength

Perceptions of Medical Students on Research Curriculum: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Medical colleges promote research by incorporating it into the curriculum, which enables students to acknowledge it as a career prospect. The aim of the study was to assess the perceptions of medical students on research curriculum. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 544 medical students (interns and post-graduates) at AIIMS Rishikesh in 2020. Data was collected thorough online self-administered questionnaire. A comparison between groups was made using the Mann-Whitney test or chi-square test p &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 544 participants, 218 (40.1%) responded with complete data. The total median score for the self-perceived ability of study participants regarding performing the research tasks differed significantly between interns and post-graduates [29.5 (24.0–34.2) vs 33 (25.2–39.7), p = 0.03]. They suggested that mandatory research projects, workshops, and training should be included in the curriculum. Conclusion: Feedback from medical students regarding the need for guided research projects, hands-on training, and inclusion of research methodology as a course in UG curriculum and provision of support in the form of incentives, academic credits, and motivation are well noted and guide the resource faculties to modify their teaching and student support programs

Incremental shuttle walk test: Reference values and predictive equation for healthy Indian adults

Purpose: Physical inactivity in Indians is leading to an increase in noncommunicable disorders at an early age in life. Early identification and quantification of the lack of physical activity using simple and reliable exercise testing is the need of the hour. The incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) is an externally paced walk test widely used for the evaluation of exercise capacity. Currently the normative values available for clinical reference are generated from Western populations. Hence, the study was conducted to find normative values for the ISWT in healthy Indian adults (17-75 years). Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 862 subjects was recruited after ethical approval was obtained. All subjects were divided into groups as per age and gender. For age, the grouping was as follows: Group 1: Young adulthood (17-40 years), group 2: Middle adulthood (40-65 years), and group 3: Old adulthood (>65 years). The ISWT was performed as per standard protocol by Sally Singh. Results: The average distance walked were 709.2m,556.4m and 441.3m in females and 807.9 m, 639.6 m and 478.2 m in males in the three respective age groups. Stepwise regression analysis revealed age and gender as key variables correlating with incremental shuttle walk distance (ISWD). The derived predictive equations for males and females may be given as follows: 740.351 - (5.676 × age) + (99.007 × gender). Conclusion: Reference values were generated for healthy Indian adults. Physiological response to the ISWT was shown to be affected by gender and increasing age. Easily measurable variables explained 68% of the variance seen in the test, making the reference equation a relevant part of the evaluation of the ISWT