Seasonal variations in the relationship between mid-upper arm circumference and maximum voluntary contraction among ethiopian farmers

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the nature of the relationship between mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) in pre-and post-harvest seasons among adult Ethiopian farmers. Subjects/Methods: A total of 491 healthy adult men aged 18-60 years were recruited at pre-harvest season and followed up at post-harvest season. Anthropometric measurements (weight, MUAC, biceps/triceps skinfold thickness and forearm circumference) were obtained using standard techniques and arm muscle circumference (AMC)/arm muscle area (AMA) was calculated. MVC of both arms was measured using a handgrip dynamometer. Paired t-test was used to compare means, and linear regression to investigate the relationship between MUAC and MVC. Results: Maximum voluntary contraction showed statistically significant correlation with MUAC. Grip strength (MVC) demonstrated a linear increase from under-nourished to normal subjects across MUAC classes. Paradoxically, mean MVC of both arms declined significantly during the post-harvest season. However, the relationship between MUAC and MVC held tight in the post-harvest season as seen in the pre-harvest period. Conclusions: This study has highlighted that under-nourished adult men have reduced functional ability (strength) in all seasons. In addition, strength increases in a linear fashion as MUAC increases during both seasons. More work examining the relationship between functional ability and anthropometric indices in adults from different developing countries is needed to address use and cutoffs for grip strength.

Monitoring elbow isometric contraction by novel wearable fabric sensing device

“…Investigations on upper extremities or lower extremities through ultrasound detection have proposed relationships between muscle thickness and torque, which is the representation of the contractile force [7,16,23]. Several published papers correlated limb circumference with torque [26,28,34] without elaborating its underlying mechanism. Accordingly, the muscle thickness can be an index for muscle contraction, while muscle volume seldom changes during contraction [35].…”

“…Investigations on the upper extremities or lower extremities through ultrasound detection have proposed relationships between muscle thickness and torque, which is the representation of the contractile force [7,16,23]. Several published papers correlated LC with torque [26,28,34] without elaborating its underlying mechanism.…”

“…This provides the possibility of indexing the muscle contraction status with real-time anthropometric parameters such as the circumferences of some limbs (upper arm), whose contractors (biceps) dominate the increment of circumference during contraction. This would be a direct, portable and convenient method if successful [26][27][28]. For in situ measurement, a flexible device is required to be worn on the curved and soft human skin in motion.…”

Nutritional status and handgrip strength in elderly living at low human development index community

“…AMA exhibited higher coefficients of determination (r 2 adjusted ) than BMI, as was verified in the study by Barbosa et al 6 and by Pieterse et al 7 , with the elderly of Ruanda, living in refugee camps in Tanzania. This finding can be justified by a closer relationship between the AMA measure and muscle mass in the elderly 23 . Studies carried out in developed countries have shown conflicting results in relation to this issue.…”

Using forearm circumference for automatic threshold calibration for simple EMG control

“…The link between MVC, muscle strength and circumference has already been established [1] [12]. Our research is about trying to establish an easy to obtain sensor position, such that automatic circumference measurements might be able to estimate MVC for automatic calibration within an acceptable error.…”