Preservation of eccentric torque of the knee extensors and flexors in patients with COPD.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the concentric and eccentric torque of the knee extensors (KEs) and flexors (KFs) in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with matched controls. Muscle volume and intramuscular fat infiltration of the thigh muscles were also compared between groups.


METHODS
Twenty persons with moderate to severe COPD and 20 control participants, matched for age, sex, and body mass index, participated in the study. Concentric and eccentric isokinetic torque of the KEs and KFs were measured on a KinCom dynamometer. Muscle volume of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and adductors and intramuscular fat infiltration were estimated from T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Muscle volume of the quadriceps and hamstrings was used to normalize torque measurements of the KEs and KFs, respectively.


RESULTS
Absolute concentric and eccentric torque was lower in the COPD group than in controls. However, normalized eccentric torque was higher in persons with COPD (P < .05). Persons with COPD demonstrated lower muscle volume of all thigh muscle groups (P < .01) and greater intramuscular fat infiltration (P < .002) than controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Although absolute torque of the KEs and KFs are lower in persons with COPD than in controls, normalized eccentric torque is actually higher in persons with COPD. A further examination of factors that contribute to the enhancement of eccentric torque in persons with COPD is warranted.
Mathur
Sunita
S
School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. sunitamathur@phhp.ufl.edu
MacIntyre
Donna L
DL
Forster
Bruce B
BB
Road
Jeremy D
JD
Levy
Robert D
RD
Reid
W Darlene
WD
D050154:Adiposity; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019415:Torque