Knee extension and flexion strength asymmetry in Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive subjects: a cross-sectional study.
Vitor H F Oliveira, Susana L Wiechmann, Argéria M S Narciso and 1 others
PMID 28720481WHAT IT FOUND
HIV-positive adults had stronger knee extension and flexion in the dominant leg.
About 46% to 58% showed limb asymmetry. Hamstring-to-quadriceps balance did not differ between legs.
Key findings
01The dominant leg had higher quadriceps and hamstrings peak torque and average power than the non-dominant leg at both test speeds.
02At 60°/s, about 46% of subjects had quadriceps asymmetry and 48% had hamstrings asymmetry. At 180°/s, about 52% had quadriceps asymmetry and 58% had hamstrings asymmetry.
03The hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio was 0.50 to 0.52 and did not differ significantly between limbs.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
There was no HIV-uninfected control group, so the observed strength differences cannot be compared with people without HIV. The study did not measure neuropathy, balance, gait, motor control, or falls, so it cannot show that strength asymmetry caused functional problems in these participants. It was cross-sectional, so it cannot show whether asymmetry changes over time or responds to treatment. Sample size was not calculated before the study, and the participants were HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy who were not doing exercise programs, so results may not apply to other stages of illness or other settings.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that knee strength asymmetry causes gait problems or that bilateral training will improve HIV-positive patients. This study only measured strength differences in 48 HIV-positive adults and did not include controls, gait, balance, or an intervention.