6 - Muscular Strength and Fitness Testing

Ex. phys. exam 2

what is muscular fitness related to?

ability to perform functional tasks

sarcopenia

age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength.

what does low physical performance predict:

mobility, disability, nursing home admission, mortality in older adults

reasons for muscular testing

diagnosis, prognosis, evaluation/therapeutic

diagnosis testing involves

identifying strengths/weaknesses that can be addressed, identifying muscle imbalances

prognosis testing involves

evaluating athletic performance potential and determine trajectory of deconditioning

evaluation/therapeutic testing involves

evaluating baseline fitness level, exercise rx, and monitoring improvement over time

isotonic

tension stays the same as length changes (concentric and eccentric)

isometric

length stays the same as tension increases

isokinetic

velocity stays the same throughout contraction

what has the highest force (concentric, isometric, eccentric)?

eccentric

what has the lowest force (concentric, isometric, eccentric)?

concentric

according to the force-velocity curve, with decreasing velocity in an eccentric contraction is a(n) (decrease/increase) in force

increase

_____ contraction is lengthening velocity

eccentric

according to the force-velocity curve, in concentric contraction increased force leads to a(n) ______ in length.

decrease

as eccentric velocity increases, force (increases/decreases)

increases

as concentric velocity increases, force (increases/decreases)

decreases

muscle strength

max force that can be generated by a muscle

muscle power

rate of performing work, ability to perform work quickly

muscle endurance

ability of the muscle to repeatedly perform muscle contractions over a period of time that is sufficient to cause fatigue

muscle flexibility

functional ability for a joint o move through its complete ROM

muscular fitness includes:

strength, power, flexibility, endurance

what is power?

Power = force * velocity or work/time

when is peak power?

1/3 of velocity in a concentric contraction

testing order for muscle testing

coordination —> strength/power —> endurance

what are the contraindications to muscle testing?

same as aerobic testing

avoid valsalva, inflammation/pain/injury in the region

types of isometric tests

manual assessment “break test”, tensiometry, dynamometry

types of isotonic tests

manual assessment “make test”, 1RM, computer assisted methods, field tests

types of isokinetic tests

computer assisted methods

tensiometry/dynamometry

measures the tension or force produced by muscle contractions, may include measures of power, cannot be generalized and specific to muscle group, joint angle tested

isometric/static testing disadvantages

specific to joint angle, more likely to perform valsalva, may be dependent on body mechanics and position

isometric/static testing advantages

simple, cheap, quick

what is the gold standard of isotonic testing?

true 1 RM test

when to use multiple/estimated 1RM test?

for when true 1 Rm test is impractical/contraindicated

what are the valid measures of general strength for UE and LE? (types of exercises)

UE: bench, shoulder press

LE: squat, leg press

In a 1RM procedure, initial weight should be ____% of capacity

50-70

In a 1RM procedure, one should increase weight by ___% for upper body or __% for lower body until desired reps cannot be completed

5-10, 10-20

In an estimated 1RM procedure, choose weight that is close to 5-10 RM and perform to _____.

failure

In estimated 1RM, 7-10 RM represents __% of 1RM for untrained and ___% for trained

69, 79

(T/F) It a patient is performing estimated 1RM test and performs >10 reps, you should use the equation to estimate 1RM.

F, rest 3-4 minutes, increase weight and try again.

which groups should you use estimated 1RM on?

preadolescents, elderly, HTN, cardiac pts, orthopedic injury, etc

true 1RM test advantages

accurate and reliable

true 1RM test disadvantages

safety/injury risk, requires spotter, longer test

what is absolute strength results?

pure amount of weight lifted

what is relative/normalized strength results?

relative to the person’s body weight (weight lifted/body weight)

disadvantages of isotonic strength testing

weakest point in ROM may be included in the assessment, doesn’t measure strength at different speeds

advantages of strength testing

better correlates with performance, inexpensive, widely available

isokinetic strength testing advantages

excellent reliability and consistency, limits other variables, measures at different speeds, measures strongest point in ROM

isokinetic strength testing disadvantages

not really functional, expensive, few machines are available, technical expertise required

what aspect of muscle fitness declines faster with aging?

power

examples of muscle power testing

five-time sit-to-stand

vertical jump

hop test

Wingate

shuttle tests

running, jumping

absolute endurance

total reps at given resistance

relative endurance

total number of reps at a % of 1RM

dynamic tests

max number of reps of some movement

endurance field tests include

push up test, pull ups, curl ups, planks, squats

flexibility is ____ specific

joint

flexibility is the ability to move a joint through complete, _____-free ROM without ______.

pain, impingement/restriction

flexibility can be measured by

goniometry or indirect methods (sit-and-reach, functional movement screen)

what are the types of functional mobility tests?

sit to stand

timed stair climbing

TUG

four-square step test

dynamic gait index (DGI)

Functional Movement Screen (FMS)

what are the types of balance tests?

functional reach

Y-balance test

single leg stance

Berg Balance

Balance Error Scoring system