ASSESSMENT OF LOWER LIMB MUSCLE STRENGTH IN ATHLETES BY USING HAND-HELD DYNAMOMETER: A RELIABILITY STUDY

Background and Aims: Muscle strength is the key area to measure the functional status of an individual. Different tools and techniques has been used to detect strength differences and deficits. Hand- held dynamometer is one of the most affordable and handy tools used for this purpose. This study was designed to determine intra-rater reliability of hand- held dynamometer to measure muscle strength in different muscle groups of lower extremity of young athletes. It will further explore the reliability of hand- held dynamometer. Methodology: In this cross- sectional study young players of squash and badminton in the age group of 18-26 years were selected. The participants were recruited by non- probability convenience sampling technique. The strength of major muscle groups of lower limb was measured by a single male tester twice with gap through isometric make test of dynamometer. The intra-class correlation coefficient was then calculated for two readings of each muscle group by using SPSS version 21. Results: The intra- class correlation coefficient showed good to excellent reliability. The hip abductors, hip adductors, hip extensors of left side, knee flexors and knee extensors showed excellent reliability. Whereas, hip flexors, ankle plantar- flexors and dorsi-flexors of both sides showed excellent reliability at 95 % confidence interval. Conclusion: The isometric make test of dynamometer is a reliable tool for the objectification of strength of lower limb in   young players participating in squash and badminton.

Exploring the Role of Psyllium Husk As Therapeutic Agent in Human Subjects

Present research was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of psyllium husk as a therapeutic agent in normal and hypercholesterolemic subjects. For the purpose, dietetic cookies were prepared by replacing straight grade flour with psyllium husk in different combinations @ 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%. Psyllium husk was analysed for chemical composition, dietary fiber through enzymatic method and functional component arabinoxylan (AX) using GC-MS. Characterization results indicated psyllium husk as a rich source of dietary fiber and arabinoxylan. The treatments of prepared cookies were analysed for physical, chemical and sensory attributes with special reference to dietary fiber, arabinoxylan, gross energy, hardness and color tonality. Physical characteristics showed decline in diameter and spread factor whilst, increase in thickness of treated cookies. Chemical assay revealed higher protein in control cookies whereas moisture, ash, crude fiber & NFE along with dietary fiber and arabinoxylan contents were higher in psyllium based cookies. Softer cookies with low gross energy and better color tone were formed using psyllium husk. Sensory panel explicated cookies quite acceptable however decrease in sensory score was recorded during storage. Considering the results of characterization, dietary fiber and sensory response, one best treatment namely T4 (20% replacement of psyllium husk) was selected along with control for two months efficacy study in human subjects during two consecutive years i.e. 2009-10 (Trial-I) & 2010-11 (Trial-II) for validity of the results. Bio-evaluation trial was carried out in normal subjects following same module in hypercholesterolemics by providing five cookies twice a day to each subject. Results indicated non-significant differences in serum lipid profile and glycemic indices (glucose and HbA1c) of normal subjects after consuming dietetic cookies (T4). Nevertheless, psyllium husk based cookies had positive impact to attenuate the lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic subjects. In this context, elevated base line values of total cholesterol 231.50±6.46, LDL 158.78±8.91, VLDL 35.92±1.36, LDL/HDL 4.99±0.25 and glucose 103.10±7.90mg/dL, were significantly reduced to 202.90±7.26, 134.60±8.13, 30.40±1.05, 4.09±0.17 and 92.07±4.11mg/dL, respectively in the Trial-I. Likewise, significant declining trend was observed in respective traits due to treatment T4 in Trial-II. The percent reduction in total cholesterol was 12.35 & 11.26%, LDL 15.22 & 14.10%, VLDL 13.48 & 12.08% and glucose 10.70 & 12.19%, respectively in Trial-I &II for hypercholestrolemic subjects due to dietetic cookies (T4). However, HDL concentration increased non-momentously during the study period. Likewise, triglycerides level was also affected non-significantly however, a slight decline was recorded. Safety evaluation of dietetic cookies was also carried out simultaneously in both categories of subjects and no sign of abnormality was observed in liver (ALT & AST) and kidney functions (urea & creatinine). It has been observed that high base line value for urea was non-significantly declined after administration of test diet in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Furthermore results for hematological tests depicted safe range in allied parameters i.e. platelets count, ESR, red blood cells and white blood cells indices. It is interesting to mention that the ESR of hypercholestrolemic subjects was momentously affected by using therapeutic diet (T4) as it was reduced to 5.61 and 6.98% in Trial-I & II, respectively. It has been observed that psyllium husk is friendly to the normal subjects nonetheless supportive for the hypercholesterolemic subjects. From the current explorations it is concluded that psyllium husk based cookies (supplemented with 20% psyllium husk) have potential to be used as a functional ingredient against the menace of hypercholestolemia and allied discrepancies in vulnerable segments of the population.