Use of a Cybex NORM dynamometer to assess muscle function in patients with thoracic cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The cachexia-anorexia syndrome impacts on patients' physical independence and quality of life. New treatments are required and need to be evaluated using acceptable and reliable outcome measures, e.g. the assessment of muscle function. The aims of this study were to: (i) examine the acceptability and reliability of the Cybex NORM dynamometer to assess muscle function in people with non-small cell lung cancer or mesothelioma; (ii) compare muscle function in this group with healthy volunteers and; (iii) explore changes in muscle function over one month.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The test consisted of 25 repetitions of isokinetic knee flexion and extension at maximal effort while seated on a Cybex NORM dynamometer. Strength and endurance for the quadriceps and hamstrings were assessed as peak torque and total work and an endurance ratio respectively. Thirteen patients and 26 volunteers completed the test on three separate visits. Acceptability was assessed by questionnaire, reliability by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and tests of difference compared outcomes between and within groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All subjects found the test acceptable. Peak torque and work done were reliable measures (ICC >0.80), but the endurance ratio was not. Muscle function did not differ significantly between the patient and a matched volunteer group or in either group when repeated after one month.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>For patients with non-small cell lung cancer or mesothelioma, the Cybex NORM dynamometer provides an acceptable and reliable method of assessing muscle strength and work done. Muscle function appears to be relatively well preserved in this group and it appears feasible to explore interventions which aim to maintain or even improve this.</p

Shoulder terminal range eccentric antagonist/concentric agonist strength ratios in overhead athletes

Objective: The agonist-antagonist strength relationship for shoulder external rotation and internal rotation was formerly described by the relatively more functional ratios of eccentric external rotator to concentric internal rotator moments, and eccentric internal rotator to concentric external rotator moments for the entire range of motion. The aim of this study was to provide descriptive data for terminal range eccentric antagonist/concentric agonist rotator cuff strength in overhead athletes. Methods: The dominant and non-dominant shoulders of 40 asymptomatic military overhead athletes were tested through a range of 20 degrees of external rotation to 90 degrees of internal rotation using the Cybex NORM isokinetic dynamometer at a speed of 90 degrees/s. Differences between the dominant and non-dominant shoulders were assessed using the paired samples t-test. Results: The terminal range ratios during external rotation (20 degrees of internal rotation -10 degrees of external rotation) were found to be 2.09 and 1.58 for the dominant and non-dominant shoulders, respectively, whereas the terminal range ratios during internal rotation (60-90 degrees of internal rotation) were 1.03 and 1.19 for the dominant and non-dominant shoulders, respectively. These ratio differences between the dominant and non-dominant shoulders were significant (P < 0.01 for external and internal rotation). Conclusion: The muscle torque ratios of eccentric antagonist/concentric agonist are different between dominant and non-dominant shoulders of skilled overhead athletes at terminal ranges. This functional assessment of strength testing that reflects dynamic shoulder joint stability during the throwing activity at these specific ranges may provide valuable information either during preventive exercise programs or in the evaluation of the injured shoulder of the overhead athlete. We recommended functional exercises that improve eccentric external rotation strength on the dominant shoulder during the rehabilitation and prevention programs in overhead athletes