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Quadriceps and ankle dorsiflexor strength in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Author(s) -
Seymour John M.,
Ward Katie,
Raffique Abrar,
Steier Joerg S.,
Sidhu Paul S.,
Polkey Michael I.,
Moxham John,
Rafferty Gerrard F.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.23353
Subject(s) - medicine , ankle , copd , pulmonary disease , cardiology , confidence interval , transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , surgery , pathology , alternative medicine
: Quadriceps strength and size are commonly reduced in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We wished to assess volitional and nonvolitional ankle dorsiflexor strength in COPD. Methods : Quadriceps and ankle dorsiflexor strength were measured by maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and by twitch responses to supramaximal femoral and fibular nerve stimulation. Cross‐sectional areas of the tibialis anterior (TA CSA ) and rectus femoris muscles (RF CSA ) were measured by ultrasound. Results : Eighteen elderly subjects and 20 COPD patients [mean(SD) %predictedFEV 1 50(20)%] participated. No significant difference in fat‐free mass index, ankle dorsiflexor strength, or TA CSA were observed in the presence of reduced quadriceps strength and size in COPD [mean MVC difference: −10.9 kg (95% confidence interval {CI}: −17.1 kg to −4.8 kg, P < 0.01; mean RF CSA difference −119 mm 2 , 95% CI: −180 mm 2 to −58 mm 2 , P < 0.01)]. Conclusions : Ankle dorsiflexor strength is less attenuated than quadriceps strength in COPD patients with moderate airflow obstruction. Direct quadriceps assessment may be more relevant than measurement of lower limb fat‐free mass. Muscle Nerve 46: 548–554, 2012