Study tests how to assess knee muscle function

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Explosive force is defined as the greatest muscle tension per unit of time, that is, the ability of the neuromuscular system to develop high degrees of strength in the shortest possible time. It is essential for the performance of athletes and the general population (regardless of age or physical activity performed) and is associated with speed and agility performance, balance control, and risk of falls.

High jumping, running, sprinting, throwing, athletics, cycling, wrestling, gymnastics, speed skating, canoeing, and kayaking, are some of the sports that require speed, power, and explosive strength. Several studies have revealed that there is a correlation between explosive force and phase angle (PhA).

Since knee extension strength is paramount for high athletic performance and a valuable factor to know about in young and even older adults with osteoarthritis, the research group that includes Dr. Ryota Akagi, from the School of Engineering and Systems Sciences, Shibaura Institute of Technology, evaluated the association of thigh PhA with maximal muscle strength, explosive muscle strength, contractile properties, and neuromuscular activity, to assess by bioimpedance which of the two measurements: whole-body PhA or thigh-only PhA, is a better predictor of knee extensor force.

The results of the study revealed that both the PhA of the whole body and the PhA of the thigh is associated with the muscle strength of the knee extensors, however, this association is due to the contractile properties of the muscles rather than to any neural aspect. This study is promising because of the implications for evaluating and monitoring muscle strength, both in athletes (who need to maintain muscle strength in the knee to perform better), and in older adults (in whom maintaining strong muscles represents greater independence to move), since bioimpedance can evaluate PhA quickly, non-invasively and the patient is not required to generate muscle strength during the test.

Writing by Wendy López Romero, PhD

Research and Development Analyst at Drox Health Science. PhD in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Master in Molecular Biology. More than six years of experience in molecular biology, Immunology, Biochemistry and Proteomic, as well as in the development and validation of medical devices.

Source:

Hirata, K., Ito, M., Nomura, Y., Yoshida, T., Yamada, Y., & Akagi, R. (2022). Can phase angle from bioelectrical impedance analysis associate with neuromuscular properties of the knee extensors?. FrontiersinPhysiology 1626.