Handgrip Strength as a Reflection of General Muscle Strength in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Muscle dysfunction is one of the main features in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Handgrip strength (HS) has been used as a representation of general muscle strength in various populations, and a few studies found correlation between HS and other measures of upper and lower limbs' muscle strength in the general population, although this was not yet studied in depth in COPD. The aims of this study were to verify if HS is cross-sectionally well correlated with upper and lower limbs' muscle strength in individuals with COPD, and to identify a new cutoff for handgrip weakness in this population. HS was assessed by a dynamometer, whereas other muscle strength assessments comprised maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the quadriceps femoris and 1-repetition maximum (1RM) of biceps and triceps brachii, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi and quadriceps femoris. Additional assessments included pulmonary function and volumes, body composition and exercise capacity. Fifty individuals with COPD were studied (65 ± 7 years; FEV1 51 ± 14%pred). HS showed moderate-to-strong correlations with all 1-RM assessments (0.62

A Call for Action on Chronic Respiratory Diseases within Physical Activity Policies, Guidelines and Action Plans: Let's Move!

Global policy documents for the promotion of physical activity (PA) play an important role in the measurement, evaluation, and monitoring of population PA levels. The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines include, for the first time, recommendations for specific populations, including individuals living with a range of non-communicable diseases. Of note, is the absence of any chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) within the recommendations. Globally, CRDs are highly prevalent, are attributable to significant individual and societal burdens, and are characterised by low PA. As a community, there is a need to come together to understand how to increase CRD representation within global PA policy documents, including where the evidence gaps are and how we can align with PA research in other contexts. In this commentary, the potential for synergy between evidence into the relationships between PA in CRDs globally and the relevance to current policies, guidelines and action plans on population levels of PA are discussed. Furthermore, actions and considerations for future research, including the need to harmonize and promote PA assessment (particularly in low- and middle-income countries) and encompass the synergistic influences of PA, sedentary behaviour and sleep on health outcomes in CRD populations are presented.

Minimal important difference of two methods for assessment of quadriceps femoris strength post exercise program in individuals with COPD.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of quadriceps femoris (QF) strength is recommended by international guidelines as an outcome of exercise training (ET) programs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). OBJECTIVES: To identify the minimal important difference (MID) of two methods for the assessment of improvement of QF strength after a high-intensity ET program in individuals with COPD: 1-repetition maximum (1RM) and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). METHODS: Individuals with moderate to very-severe stable COPD were submitted to high-intensity ET (3 days/week, 36 sessions). Lung function (spirometry), exercise capacity (6-minute walk test [6MWT]) and QF strength (1RM test and MVC by using a strain-gauge) were assessed before and after the ET program. RESULTS: Twenty-one individuals were studied (65±8 years, BMI 27±6; FEV1 51±16%predicted). At the end of the ET program, QF strength improved significantly (10±4 Nm for MVC and 8 ± 6 kg for 1RM) (P<0.05 for both). The MID for improvement of the QF strength calculated by distribution-based methods ranged from 9.4 to 16 Nm (between 7.4% and 12.6% increase from baseline) for the MVC and from 2.5 to 3 kg (between 12% and 15% increase from baseline) for the 1RM test. Anchor-based MIDs could not be calculated since there was no correlation between the improvement of QF strength and the improvement of the proposed anchor (6MWT). CONCLUSIONS: The MID for improvement of QF strength after a high-intensity ET program in individuals with moderate-to-severe stable COPD ranges between 9.4 and 16 Nm for the MVC assessed with a strain gauge and between 2.5 and 3 kg for the 1RM test.

Use of different reference values for handgrip strength in individuals with COPD: analysis of agreement, discriminative capacity, and main clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE: To identify reference values for handgrip strength through a literature search and compare the agreement of reference values from Brazil with others for handgrip strength in a sample of COPD patients in Brazil, as well as to determine which set of reference values is more discriminative regarding differences in clinical characteristics between individuals with low handgrip strength and normal handgrip strength. METHODS: To identify reference values for handgrip strength, a literature search was performed; a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of baseline-only data from two unrelated studies was then performed. Individuals were evaluated for handgrip strength, peripheral muscle strength, respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, body composition, exercise capacity, dyspnea, and functional status. RESULTS: Of the 45 studies that were initially selected, 9 met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis, which included 99 COPD patients in Brazil (52% of whom were male with GOLD stage II-IV COPD). The prevalence of low handgrip strength varied across studies (from 9% to 55%), the set of reference values for handgrip strength in a sample of individuals in Brazil having classified 9% of the study sample as having low handgrip strength. The level of agreement between the reference values for a sample of individuals in Brazil and the other sets of reference values varied from weak to excellent. The reference values for a sample of individuals in Brazil showed the highest number of significantly different characteristics between individuals with low and normal handgrip strength. CONCLUSIONS: The level of agreement between national and international sets of reference values for handgrip strength varied from weak to excellent in COPD patients in Brazil. Reference values for handgrip strength with higher discriminative capacity are not necessarily those that identify more individuals as having low handgrip strength.

Use of different reference values for handgrip strength in individuals with COPD: analysis of agreement, discriminative capacity, and main clinical implications / Uso de diferentes valores de referência de força de preensão manual em indivíduos com DPOC: análise de concordância, capacidade discriminativa e principais implicações clínicas

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify reference values for handgrip strength through a literature search and compare the agreement of reference values from Brazil with others for handgrip strength in a sample of COPD patients in Brazil, as well as to determine which set of reference values is more discriminative regarding differences in clinical characteristics between individuals with low handgrip strength and normal handgrip strength. Methods: To identify reference values for handgrip strength, a literature search was performed; a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of baseline-only data from two unrelated studies was then performed. Individuals were evaluated for handgrip strength, peripheral muscle strength, respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, body composition, exercise capacity, dyspnea, and functional status. Results: Of the 45 studies that were initially selected, 9 met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis, which included 99 COPD patients in Brazil (52% of whom were male with GOLD stage II-IV COPD). The prevalence of low handgrip strength varied across studies (from 9% to 55%), the set of reference values for handgrip strength in a sample of individuals in Brazil having classified 9% of the study sample as having low handgrip strength. The level of agreement between the reference values for a sample of individuals in Brazil and the other sets of reference values varied from weak to excellent. The reference values for a sample of individuals in Brazil showed the highest number of significantly different characteristics between individuals with low and normal handgrip strength. Conclusions: The level of agreement between national and international sets of reference values for handgrip strength varied from weak to excellent in COPD patients in Brazil. Reference values for handgrip strength with higher discriminative capacity are not necessarily those that identify more individuals as having low handgrip strength.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar valores de referência de força de preensão manual por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica e comparar, em pacientes com DPOC no Brasil, o nível de concordância entre valores de referência de força de preensão manual obtidos no Brasil com outros valores de referência, bem como determinar qual conjunto de valores de referência é mais discriminativo em relação a características clínicas em indivíduos com força de preensão manual baixa e normal. Métodos: Para identificar valores de referência de força de preensão manual, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica. Em seguida, foi realizada uma análise transversal retrospectiva de dados exclusivamente basais provenientes de dois estudos não relacionados. Os indivíduos foram avaliados quanto à força de preensão manual, força muscular periférica, força muscular respiratória, função pulmonar, composição corporal, capacidade de exercício, dispneia e estado funcional. Resultados: Dos 45 estudos inicialmente selecionados, 9 preencheram os critérios de inclusão na análise, que incluiu 99 pacientes com DPOC no Brasil (52% dos quais eram homens com DPOC no estágio II-IV da GOLD). A prevalência de força de preensão manual baixa variou entre os estudos (de 9% a 55%), sendo que os valores de referência de força de preensão manual em indivíduos no Brasil classificaram 9% dos pacientes com DPOC como sendo indivíduos com força de preensão manual baixa. O nível de concordância entre os valores de referência para indivíduos no Brasil e os demais valores de referência variou de fraco a excelente. Os valores de referência para indivíduos no Brasil revelaram o maior número de características significativamente diferentes em indivíduos com força de preensão manual baixa e normal. Conclusões: O nível de concordância entre valores de referência nacionais e internacionais de força de preensão manual variou de fraco a excelente em pacientes com DPOC no Brasil. Os valores de referência de força de preensão manual com maior capacidade discriminativa não são necessariamente aqueles que identificam mais indivíduos como sendo indivíduos com força de preensão manual baixa.

Agreement between dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and opto-electronic volumetry for measurement of forearm volume.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is commonly assessed by measuring the increase in volume of the affected region using methods that are not only accurate and sensitive but also applicable for use in clinical practice. Opto-electronic volumetry (Perometer™) is a rapid and convenient technique recommended as a reference method for this purpose, while the use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is becoming more common. We report here a method agreement study between DXA and perometry for the measurement of forearm volume. METHODS: Perometric measurements were performed on both whole arms, in the horizontal plane, of a group of healthy young participants. Perometric data were obtained for 4 and 5 mm slices between the malleoli to the anticubital fossa crease. The DXA-measured masses (bone mineral, fat, and lean) for the same forearm region were obtained using recently published algorithms. Perometric and DXA-measured volumes were compared using correlation and limits of agreement analysis. RESULTS: DXA-computed volumes were highly and significantly correlated (r=0.986; p<0.0001) with those measured by perometry. The mean bias between the methods was extremely small; 0.7% underestimation by DXA with limits of agreement of 6.3 to -7.7% (DXA-perometry). CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated a high degree of concordance between DXA computed limb volumes and those measured by the reference method of perometry. The relatively small limits of agreement suggest that these methods can be used interchangeably.

Desenvolvimento de cobertura à base de colágeno parcialmente hidrolisado, manitol e antimicrobianos aplicada em morangos / Development of coating using partially hydrolyzed collagen, mannitol and antimicrobial applied on strawberrie

O presente artigo apresenta o estudo experimental do desenvolvimento de coberturas à base de colágeno parcialmente hidrolisado e manitol (utilizado como plastifi cante) e posterior incorporação de antimicrobianos com o intuito de aumentar o tempo de vida útil de morangos. Testaram-se nove combinações de colágeno parcialmente hidrolisado e manitol, mediante planejamento experimental, buscando-se os efeitos dessas variáveis em relaçãoà perda de massa dos frutos. A cobertura mais efi ciente para a redução da perda de massa do fruto continha 7,5% de colágeno e 2,5% de manitol. Após defi nição da melhor formulação testousea ação dos antimicrobianos sorbato de potássio e do composto comercial, denominado neste trabalho como extrato de pomelo. Obteve-se aumento da vida útil dos morangos usando cobertura àbase de colágeno e manitol com antimicrobianos incorporados, osquais alcançaram vida-de-prateleira de 12 dias.