Arpassanan Wiyanad1,2, Pipatana Amatachaya2,3, Thanat Sooknuan2,4, Charoonsak Somboonporn2,5, Thiwabhorn Thaweewannakij1,2, Jittima Saengsuwan2,6, Sugalya Amatachaya7,8. 1. School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. 2. Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. 3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. 4. Department of Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. 5. Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. 6. Department of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. 7. School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. samata@kku.ac.th. 8. Improvement of Physical Performance and Quality of Life (IPQ) Research Group, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. samata@kku.ac.th.
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the correlation between simple muscle strength tests (including handgrip test and upper limb loading during a seated push-up test [ULL-SPUT]) and body compositions among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: A tertiary rehabilitation center. METHODS: Twenty-four participants with SCI (average age of 40 years) were cross-sectionally assessed using handgrip test, ULL-SPUT, and body compositions (including skeletal muscle mass, bone mineral content, and fat mass) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. RESULTS: The handgrip data had low-to-moderate correlation to body compositions of the arms (rs = 0.474-0.515, p < 0.05), while the ULL-SPUT data were low-to-excellently correlated to all body compositions of the arms, legs, and trunk (rs, r = 0.467-0.921, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings extend clinical benefit of a SPUT apart from being a rehabilitation strategy to promote mobility of individuals with SCI. Simple measurement of the ULL-SPUT, which can be done using digital bathroom scales placed on a hard and even surface, appears to be strongly correlated with body compositions in a small sample of predominantly middle age, normal weight, men with paraplegia. More research is required to understand whether this test can be used clinically to assess body compositions in a more diverse SCI population, and whether it is responsive to changes in body compositions over time.
STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the correlation between simple muscle strength tests (including handgrip test and upper limb loading during a seated push-up test [ULL-SPUT]) and body compositions among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING: A tertiary rehabilitation center. METHODS: Twenty-four participants with SCI (average age of 40 years) were cross-sectionally assessed using handgrip test, ULL-SPUT, and body compositions (including skeletal muscle mass, bone mineral content, and fat mass) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. RESULTS: The handgrip data had low-to-moderate correlation to body compositions of the arms (rs = 0.474-0.515, p < 0.05), while the ULL-SPUT data were low-to-excellently correlated to all body compositions of the arms, legs, and trunk (rs, r = 0.467-0.921, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings extend clinical benefit of a SPUT apart from being a rehabilitation strategy to promote mobility of individuals with SCI. Simple measurement of the ULL-SPUT, which can be done using digital bathroom scales placed on a hard and even surface, appears to be strongly correlated with body compositions in a small sample of predominantly middle age, normal weight, men with paraplegia. More research is required to understand whether this test can be used clinically to assess body compositions in a more diverse SCI population, and whether it is responsive to changes in body compositions over time.