Author/Editor		Rozman, Janez; Bunc, Matjaž; Zupan, Anton
Title		Evaluation of the torque development by the elbow flexors in patients with neuromuscular diseases
Type		članek
Source		Basic Appl Myol
Vol. and No.		Letnik 11, št. 3
Publication year		2001
Volume		str. 135-9
Language		eng
Abstract		In planning the optimum treatment for patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMD), it is essential to know as much as possible about their functional state. Assessment of the strength of certain muscles is the most direct measure of motor deficiency. In the development of normative data needed for patients with NMD, the use of torque measurements is required. Foriy-nine patients (31 men andž18 women, mean age 33 +- 8,9) were included in the study. Five groups of patients, each having one of five dii%rent NMDs, were formed. We tested unilaterally the biceps brachii muscle that normally generates the highest torque. For this purpose an electronic brace enabling isometric measurements of torque during elbow flexion was designed. The patients produced 3 maximum voluntary elbow flexions that lasted about 3 s and separated by a pause of about 3 s. Force development was rapid with continuous build-up and isometric. About 15 s later the patients produced the last maximum voluntary elbow flexion, keeping it as stable as possible for a period of 30 s. Patients with mitochondrial myopathy (MM), having the longest mean time to maximum torque (1191.7 ms), elicited the highest mean torque in both short (1.34 Nm) as well as in 30 s-long maximum elbow flexions. Patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (MD-FSH), having a mean time to maximum torque (537.66 ms) about half as short, elicited the lowest mean torque in both the short (0.29 Nm) as well as in 30 s-long maximum elbow flexions. Patients with Becker muscular dystrophy (MD-B), having a mean time to maximum torque (1090.5 ms) about twice as long as patients with MD-FSH, elicited a higher mean torque in both short (0.82 Nm) and 30 s-long elbow flexions. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Descriptors		ELBOW JOINT MUSCLE CONTRACTION MUSCLE, SKELETAL NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES ADULT ISOMETRIC CONTRACTION MITOCHONDRIAL MYOPATHIES MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY MUSCULAR ATROPHY, SPINAL