Muscle performance, body fat, pain and function in the elderly with arthritis

Abstract

Objective: To correlate muscule performance, body composition, pain and joint function in elderly people with gonarthrosis. Method: 21 elderly patients were submitted to bioelectrical impedance analysis, dynamometry associated with electromyographic (EMG) evaluation of isometric knee extension, in addition to pain assessment by the Numeric Pain Intensity Scale and function assessment, by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis (OA) questionnaire. Correlations were checked by the Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The sample characteristics were mean age 67.36 ± 4.21 years old, body fat percentage 40.57±6.15%, total WOMAC score 43.27 ± 16.32%, and maximum strength 19.95 ± 6.99 kgF. Pain during movement showed a statistical association with WOMAC physical activity domain (r = 0.47) and its general score (r = 0.51); pain intensity at night presented association with WOMAC stiffness domain (r = 0.55), in addition to the negative correlation with the slope values of the Medium Frequency of the EMG signal (r = - 0.57). Conclusion: pain intensity is correlated to functional incapacity in elderly people with knee OA and to a greater expression of fatigue in EMG signal. Levels of Evidence III, Study of non consecutive patients

Association Between the Plasma Levels of Mediators of Inflammation With Pain and Disability in the Elderly With Acute Low Back Pain

“…[27][28][29] The process by which cytokines are involved in disability has not been fully clarified, but a direct link between high levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-a and the reduction of muscle mass and strength can lead to sarcopenia and functional loss. 5,[30][31][32] Further, inflammatory factors may cause changes to the tissues surrounding the spine, subsequently increasing the association between pain and disability.…”

Intermittent and constant pain and physical function or performance in men and women with knee osteoarthritis: data from the osteoarthritis initiative

“…Knee pain that is elicited during movement is associated with worse self-reported physical function [ 11 ]. Sensitivity to pain during physical activity was related to self-reported pain and performance on a walking task, and sensitivity to physical activity mediated the relationship between catastrophizing and pain in individuals with OA [ 46 ].…”

What is the effect of peripheral muscle fatigue, pulmonary function, and body composition on functional exercise capacity in acromegalic patients?

“…The MDF and RMS values corresponding to the EMG signals during the isometric contraction over time were used to analyze the fatigability of the quadriceps. While the RMS is associated with the amplitude and quantification of the electrical signal generated during muscle contraction, the MDF is associated with the firing rate of the action potential 27 , 28 ) .…”