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A Custom-Made Electronic Dynamometer for Evaluation of Peak Ankle Torque after COVID-19

Authors :
Iulia Iovanca Dragoi
Florina Georgeta Popescu
Teodor Petrita
Florin Alexa
Romulus Fabian Tatu
Cosmina Ioana Bondor
Carmen Tatu
Frank L. Bowling
Neil D. Reeves
Mihai Ionac
Source :
Sensors, Vol 22, Iss 5, p 2073 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

The negative effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the musculoskeletal system include symptoms of fatigue and sarcopenia. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on foot muscle strength and evaluate the reproducibility of peak ankle torque measurements in time by using a custom-made electronic dynamometer. In this observational cohort study, we compare two groups of four participants, one exposed to COVID-19 throughout measurements and one unexposed. Peak ankle torque was measured using a portable custom-made electronic dynamometer. Ankle plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscle strength was captured for both feet at different ankle angles prior and post COVID-19. Average peak torque demonstrated no significant statistical differences between initial and final moment for both groups (p = 0.945). An increase of 4.8%, p = 0.746 was obtained in the group with COVID-19 and a decrease of 1.3%, p = 0.953 was obtained in the group without COVID-19. Multivariate analysis demonstrated no significant differences between the two groups (p = 0.797). There was a very good test–retest reproducibility between the measurements in initial and final moments (ICC = 0.78, p < 0.001). In conclusion, peak torque variability is similar in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups and the custom-made electronic dynamometer is a reproducible method for repetitive ankle peak torque measurements.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14248220
Volume :
22
Issue :
5
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Sensors
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.9b83603878504f62a93d314d42319982
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/s22052073