| Autor: |
Buoncristiani NA; Neuromuscular Assessment Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.; Carolina Center for Healthy Work Design and Worker Well-Being, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.; Human Movement Science Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC., Gerstner GR; Neuromuscular Assessment Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.; Carolina Center for Healthy Work Design and Worker Well-Being, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC., Laffan MR; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC., Trivisonno AJ; United States Performance Center, Charlotte, NC., Mota JA; Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX., Giuliani-Dewig HK; Human Performance Innovation Center, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV., Ryan ED; Neuromuscular Assessment Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.; Carolina Center for Healthy Work Design and Worker Well-Being, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.; Human Movement Science Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. |
| Abstrakt: |
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of inter-limb leg lean tissue mass (LTM) asymmetry on stair climb (SC) performance in firefighters. Forty-one career firefighters (age = 32.3 ± 8.2 years, body mass = 92.1 ± 18.6 kg, stature = 178.3 ± 7.9 cm) visited the laboratory on one occasion and completed a whole body and leg composition assessment followed by a timed and weighted SC task. Percent body fat (%BF) and leg LTM were determined during a DEXA scan and regional thigh analysis. Asymmetry was assessed by the percent difference between limbs (dominant limb LTM - non-dominant limb LTM)/dominant limb LTM × 100) and a ± 3% cut-off for asymmetry classification. Participants ascended and descended 26 stairs four times as quickly as possible while wearing a weighted (22 kg) vest. Point biserial correlations were used to assess the relationship of inter-limb leg LTM asymmetry and SC performance before and after controlling for age and %BF. Results indicated that inter-limb leg LTM asymmetry was associated with longer SC task time (poorer performance) both before ( r = 0.432, P = 0.005) and after ( r = 0.502, P = 0.001) controlling for age and %BF. Our findings indicated that inter-limb leg LTM asymmetry negatively impacts firefighter SC performance, which may be improved with appropriate exercise interventions. |
