title: Contractile properties of the adductor pollicis in obese patients on a hypocaloric diet for two weeks.
abstract: The muscle function of 21 obese patients on a hypocaloric diet (450 kcal/day) was studied. On days 1, 7, and 12 the maximal isometric force and contractile properties (force:frequency relationship, relaxation rate, and fatigability) of the adductor pollicis were measured. The patients lost a mean of 5.7 kg but there was no significant change in the muscle strength or contractile properties. Twenty normal and three malnourished patients were also studied; the latter demonstrated abnormalities of muscle function. The use of such tests to monitor changes in nutritional status must be treated with caution.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors