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Peripheral muscle strength in young males with cystic fibrosis

J Hussey1, J Gormley, G Leen

  • 1School of Physiotherapy, Trinity Centre for the Health Sciences, St. James's Hospital, James's Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. jmhussey@tcd.ie

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis : Official Journal of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society
|October 7, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) exhibit reduced muscle strength compared to healthy peers. This decreased strength, particularly in knee and shoulder muscles, is linked to reduced lung function in CF patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric exercise physiology
  • Pulmonary medicine
  • Musculoskeletal health

Background:

  • Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) demonstrate reduced peak work capacity and oxygen consumption during exercise.
  • Peripheral muscle force is diminished in pediatric CF patients, even with mild lung function impairment.
  • Previous research has not utilized isokinetic dynamometry to assess peripheral muscle strength in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate peripheral muscle strength in children with cystic fibrosis using isokinetic dynamometry.
  • To compare isokinetic muscle strength between children with CF and age-matched healthy controls.
  • To investigate the correlation between lung function (FEV1) and peripheral muscle strength in pediatric CF patients.

Main Methods:

  • Isokinetic muscle strength of knee and shoulder flexors/extensors was measured in 13 children with CF and 13 controls at two movement speeds.
  • Peak torque was calculated and normalized to body weight.
  • Activity levels were assessed in both groups.

Main Results:

  • Children with CF showed significantly lower peak torque normalized to body weight compared to controls.
  • A significant correlation was found between FEV1 and knee muscle strength.
  • FEV1 also correlated significantly with shoulder flexion strength at 90 degrees/s in CF subjects.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis possess lower muscle strength than their healthy counterparts.
  • Reduced airflow limitation in CF is associated with diminished peripheral muscle strength.
  • Further research is needed to understand the link between muscle strength and exercise tolerance in CF.
Abstract

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