A deficit to reach the isokinetic velocity in youth wheelchair users with spina bifida

Abstract

Introduction

The self-paced adopted by wheelchair users in their postural transfers and locomotion may require sufficient levels of speed-strength in the upper limbs. In clinical practice, we observed limited functional independence and social participation.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate and compare the speed-strength relationship between wheelchair users with spina bifida (SB) and typically developing youth. In particular, to analyze if SB wheelchair users reached the preset velocities in the isokinetic evaluation of shoulder and elbow.

Design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting

Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo.

Participants and Procedures

SB (SB; n = 11) and controls (CT; n = 22) performed the isokinetic assessment of shoulder abductors (SAB), adductors (SAD), flexors (SFL), extensors (SEX), and elbow flexors (EFL) and extensors (EEX) at velocities of 60 and 120degree.s⁻¹. The analysis of covariance was used to identify the intergroup differences in muscle performance.

Outcome Measures

The values of peak torque (PT), power (Pow), time to peak torque (tPT) and the percentage to reach the isokinetic velocity.

Results

The percentage to reach 120degree.s⁻¹ was moderate-to-low for both groups (26-75.9%). CT presented a significantly greater relative risk of reaching the preset velocities than SB. SB presented higher PT and Pow for SAB and SFL at 60degree.s⁻¹, higher PT for SFL and EEX at 120degree.s⁻¹, and lower tPT for SFL at 120degree.s⁻¹ compared to CT.

Conclusion

SB had difficulty reaching 120degree.s⁻¹, probably related to neuromuscular differences. However, arm movements in their daily tasks seem to maintain the ability to produce PT and Pow.

Keywords:

• Elbow
• isokinetic
• Myelomeningocele
• Shoulder
• Speed

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the volunteers and their caregivers who participated in this study.

Disclaimer statements

Contributors None.

Funding This work was supported by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior: [Grant Number 88887.684910/2022-00]; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo: [Grant Number 2017/17596-4]; Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo: [Grant Number 2023/09601-9]; Fundação de Apoio ao Ensino, Pesquisa e Assistência do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo..

Declaration of interest None.

Conflicts of interest Authors have no conflict of interests to declare.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10790268.2024.2355745.