The main objective of this study was to establish normative values for maximal concentric isokinetic strength and maximal isometric strength of all major muscle groups in healthy subjects applying sex, age, height, and body mass-adjusted statistical models. One hundred and seventy-eight (178) (93 male and 85 female) healthy non-athletic Danish volunteers aged 15-83 years were recruited. Eighteen test protocols for each sex were applied to determine isokinetic and isometric muscle strength at knee, ankle, hip, shoulder, elbow, and wrist using a dynamometer (Biodex System 3 PRO). Multiple linear regressions were performed with maximal muscle strength (peak torque) as dependent variable and age, height, and body mass as independent variables. Muscle strength significantly related to age in 24, to height in 13 and to body mass in 27 out of the 36 models. In gender-specific analyses, the variables age, height and body mass accounted for 25% (20-29) (95% confidence interval) of the variation (r (2)) in strength for men and 31% (25-38) for women. The r (2) was similar for the isokinetic models and the isometric models [31% (22-40) vs. 28% (23-34)]. Age, height, and body mass related to strength in most muscle groups and gender-specific models with estimated prediction intervals were established for maximal strength of major muscle groups.

Background: Despite a shared purpose of improving functional capacity, the principles of progressive resistance training (PRT) and balance and motor control training (BMCT) are fundamentally different. Objectives: To investigate the effects of PRT and BMCT on gait performance and fatigue impact in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Methods: A multi-center, single-blinded, cluster-randomized controlled trial with two intervention groups (PRT and BMCT) and a control group (CON). The interventions lasted 10 weeks. A total of 71 participants with impaired mobility (Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW) > 5 seconds or Six Spot Step Test (SSST) > 8 seconds) were enrolled. Primary outcomes were the T25FW and the SSST. Fatigue impact, self-perceived gait function, 6-minute walk, balance, and muscle strength were secondary outcomes. Results: In total, 83% completed the study. The primary comparisons showed that BMCT, but not PRT, improved T25FW, SSST, and self-perceived gait function when compared to CON. Secondary comparisons showed that BMCT improved SSST more than PRT, while T25FW did not differ. Both BMCT and PRT reduced the fatigue impact. Finally, the effect of BMCT was superior to PRT on dynamic balance, while PRT was superior to BMCT on knee extensor muscle strength. Conclusion: BMCT, but not PRT, was superior to CON in improving gait performance, while both BMCT and PRT reduced fatigue.

No abstract

completed again. The agreement was estimated by Bland-Altman statistics with 95% limits of agreement, and reliability was estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: Subjects had a mean (SD) age of 67.8 (6.8) years, a median (range) Hoehn and Yahr score of 2.5 (1-4) and a mean (SD) Six-Spot Step Test score of 8.1 (1.8), 7.6 (1.7) and 7.6 (1.6) seconds on test occasions 1 to 3. An agreement for within-day and day-today of ±1.8 (±23.7%) and ±2.2 (±26.7%) seconds was found, respectively. The reliability was 0.81 and 0.76 within-day and day-today , respectively. A small learning effect was observed (P < 0.05) between the first and second Six-Spot Step Test, but there was no learning between the second and third occasions. Conclusion: The Six-Spot Step Test has an acceptable within-day and day-today agreement and reliability in mild to moderately disabled people with Parkinson's disease. A change of 2.2 seconds can be regarded as a true change. To minimize learning effects, test trials of the Six-Spot Step Test are recommended before use.

No abstract