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Muscles, Volume 4, Issue 1 (March 2025) – 5 articles

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11 pages, 511 KiB  
Article
Intra-Rater Reliability of Pressure Pain Threshold with Different Algometers in Healthy Participants
by Alexandre Nunes and Vanessa Leite
Muscles 2025, 4(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles4010005 - 11 Feb 2025
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Abstract
Background: Algometry is a validated and reliable measurement tool, but there are still no reliable data for the different algometers used by different raters in the same participant. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the intra-reliability of pressure pain thresholds [...] Read more.
Background: Algometry is a validated and reliable measurement tool, but there are still no reliable data for the different algometers used by different raters in the same participant. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the intra-reliability of pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) measured using a digital algometer with and without a digital screen by different raters at the same time in a pain-free population. Methods: Participants were healthy adults. PPTs were assessed using two different algometers: a digital algometer with a digital screen for a feedback of the pressure curve rate (SpTech Digital Algometer); and a digital algometer without a screen (Wagner Instruments FDX-25, Greenwich, CT, USA). Four PPT points were used: upper trapezius, lumbar spine, extensor carpi ulnaris, and tibialis anterior. The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire II was used to assess burnout, stress, sleeping problems, depressive symptoms, somatic stress, and cognitive stress. The intraclass coefficients (ICCs) for intra-rater reliability was calculated using a two-way mixed effects model, single measurement type, and absolute agreement definition. Results: A total of 47 healthy participants with a mean age of 30.51 (11.35) years were included. The upper trapezius and extensor carpi ulnaris had the lowest PPT values, and the tibialis anterior had the highest PPT value. Females had the lowest PPT values when compared with males with p < 0.05 in the upper trapezius and extensor carpi ulnaris regions. The intra-rater reliability ranged from good to excellent reliability, with the ICC values of rater 1 being higher when compared with rater 2. The PPT in tibialis anterior had the highest mean ICC scores. Conclusions: The intra-rater reliability of PPTs measured by different digital algometers ranged from good to excellent reliability. The rater with more experience demonstrated higher reliability. Full article
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11 pages, 477 KiB  
Article
Influence of History of Bronchiolitis on Health-Related Physical Fitness (Muscle Strength and Cardiorespiratory Fitness) in Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Inês Silva de Carvalho, Rui Vilarinho and Luísa Amaral
Muscles 2025, 4(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles4010004 - 6 Feb 2025
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Abstract
A history of bronchiolitis may lead to changes in health-related physical fitness in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of history of bronchiolitis on health-related physical fitness components (muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness) in children and [...] Read more.
A history of bronchiolitis may lead to changes in health-related physical fitness in children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of history of bronchiolitis on health-related physical fitness components (muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness) in children and adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 86 participants (aged 7–14 years; all males) were divided into two groups: a group with (n = 40) and without (n = 46) history of bronchiolitis. Muscle strength was assessed with handgrip and isometric quadriceps strength tests with handheld dynamometers and the five-times sit-to-stand test. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed with the six-minute walk test (6MWT). The Mann–Whitney test was used to compare the health-related physical fitness tests between groups and the binary logistic regression model was used to estimate the potential risk or protective factors in participants. No significant differences were observed between the groups in muscle strength tests. Participants without bronchiolitis walked a greater distance in the 6MWT than those with bronchiolitis (p = 0.002), and this appears to reproduce a protective factor in the group without bronchiolitis with an odds ratio of 0.99 [95% confidence interval: 0.98–0.99]. In this study, a history of bronchiolitis appears to influence cardiorespiratory fitness, but not muscle strength, in children and adolescents. Full article
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12 pages, 753 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Knee Proprioception and Strength on Lower-Limb Functional Symmetry in Healthy Adults
by Joffrey Drigny, Marine Rolland and Antoine Gauthier
Muscles 2025, 4(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles4010003 - 21 Jan 2025
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Abstract
This study examined the association between knee proprioception, strength, and functional symmetry in healthy individuals using isokinetic strength tests, proprioception assessments, and hop tests. Twenty young, healthy adults (mean age 26.5 ± 4.1 years, 85% right-limb dominant) participated. Knee extensor and flexor strength [...] Read more.
This study examined the association between knee proprioception, strength, and functional symmetry in healthy individuals using isokinetic strength tests, proprioception assessments, and hop tests. Twenty young, healthy adults (mean age 26.5 ± 4.1 years, 85% right-limb dominant) participated. Knee extensor and flexor strength were measured at 60°·s−1 and 240°·s−1. Proprioception was assessed by measuring passive joint position sense (JPS1: position recognition; JPS2: repositioning) and kinesthesia (threshold to detection of passive motion, TTDPM). Functional performance was evaluated using the single-leg hop test (SLH), triple-hop test (TH), and crossover hop test (COH). Symmetry was calculated using the limb symmetry index (LSI) as the ratio of non-dominant to dominant limb values. The results showed that THT (p = 0.011) and COH (p = 0.032) performance was superior on the dominant limb. A correlation analysis revealed strong positive correlations between hop test distances and knee extensor strength (r = 0.56–0.70, p < 0.001). JPS symmetry was negatively correlated with hop test symmetry (JPS1: SLH, r = −0.53; THT, r = −0.49; COH, r = −0.70). The participants with poorer position sense on the non-dominant leg were 2.7 times more likely to show LSI < 90% (p = 0.035). In conclusion, proprioception—particularly joint position sense—is associated with functional symmetry during dynamic tasks, highlighting the importance of proprioceptive assessments in rehabilitation and injury prevention. Full article
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21 pages, 834 KiB  
Article
Sport-Related Injuries in Portuguese CrossFit® Practitioners and Their Characteristics
by Ricardo Maia Ferreira, Luís Gonçalves Fernandes, Beatriz Minghelli, Yuri Feito, António Rodrigues Sampaio and Nuno Pimenta
Muscles 2025, 4(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles4010002 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 710
Abstract
Background/Objectives: CrossFit® is one of the most popular yet controversial training regimens. Some groups extol the positive effects of its practice, while others argue that it is unsafe and that there is limited information. The aim of this study was to investigate, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: CrossFit® is one of the most popular yet controversial training regimens. Some groups extol the positive effects of its practice, while others argue that it is unsafe and that there is limited information. The aim of this study was to investigate, through a self-reported questionnaire, the epidemiology of Portuguese CrossFit® training practitioners. Methods: Statistical analyses, including Mann–Whitney U, chi-square, Spearman’s rho correlations, and logistic regressions, were conducted. Results: A total of 288 practitioners completed the questionnaire, with 39.9% reporting injuries. These injuries occurred mainly during training, particularly when performing gymnastics exercises. Tendon (40.9%) and shoulder (46.1%) were the most common injuries. Key risk factors for injury included male gender (OR = 2.7), years of practice (4–6 years: OR = 7.22), heavier body weight (OR = 4.76), and higher weekly training volume (4–6 times per week). Conclusions: Approximately 40% of CrossFit® practitioners are expected to experience injuries, particularly in the shoulder and tendons. Injury risk is influenced by factors such as practice years, weekly training, sex, and body weight. These findings may help guide practitioners, coaches, and health professionals in better understanding the risk factors, mitigating injuries, and developing effective injury prevention strategies. Full article
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8 pages, 1572 KiB  
Case Report
Muscle Endurance Training in a Person with Friedreich’s Ataxia
by Nicole T. McGarrell, Max E. Green and Kevin K. McCully
Muscles 2025, 4(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/muscles4010001 - 9 Jan 2025
Viewed by 476
Abstract
Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) results from a faulty mitochondrial protein known as Frataxin. The purpose of this case report was to test whether skeletal muscle in FRDA can adapt to an endurance-based training program using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). A 36-year-old female with FRDA [...] Read more.
Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) results from a faulty mitochondrial protein known as Frataxin. The purpose of this case report was to test whether skeletal muscle in FRDA can adapt to an endurance-based training program using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). A 36-year-old female with FRDA completed twelve training sessions, each lasting 30 min over 30 days, focused on the forearm muscles using NMES. Pre- and post-training session measurements of contractions, muscle-specific endurance, and muscle mitochondrial capacity were taken per training session. Training contractions increased from 4200 to 9420. Muscle-specific endurance increased by 14% at 2 Hz and 17% at 4 Hz. Muscle endurance at 6 Hz increased from 0% to 51%. The rate constant of mitochondrial capacity was 0.95 min−1 pre- and 0.99 min−1 post-training session. In conclusion, one month of NMES increased training volume and muscle-specific endurance but did not change mitochondrial capacity. Muscle adaptations to endurance training were seen in FRDA, but increased training might be needed to test if mitochondrial capacity can improve. Full article
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