Maximal muscle strength is one of the most commonly assessed neuromuscular parameters in people with COPD due to its accessibility and relevance for prescribing an appropriate workload for resistance training. However, maximal force production is very rarely necessary during daily activities which requires production of submaximal and precisely controlled forces. Despite growing research on motor impairments in COPD, very little attention has been given to the effect of this disease on force control. Therefore, this research aims to better understand the potential deficits in force control caused by COPD, through the use of advanced signal processing methods (i.e., nonlinear approaches). We hypothesized that force control would be reduced in people with COPD compared to healthy individuals, particularly at low force levels.
This observational study is based on the analyses of data (force signals) recorded during the first visit of NEUROTIGUE study (NCT04028973). Force signals were recorded during brief submaximal isometric contractions of the knee extensors performed by both COPD patients and healthy individuals. Each participant performed contractions at different intensity of his/her maximal muscle strength : 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60%. Two contractions of approximately 6s duration were performed at each intensity by all participants. For a given intensity (e.g., 10%), both contractions were performed in a row but different intensities were accomplished in a random order. Force control will be assess using a conjunction of parameters to provide a comprehensive understanding of force variability (e.g., coefficient of variation, non-linear approaches).
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
36
Brief isometric contractions performed at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% of maximal voluntary force in a random order.
Université de Toulon, laboratoires Laboratoire J-AP2S
Toulon, VAR, France
Difference of the coefficient of variation (CV) of force signal between COPD patients and healthy participants for different contraction intensities.
CV (%) is calculated as the ratio between standard deviation (SD) of force signal during muscle contraction and the mean produced force during the contraction.
Time frame: 10-min
Difference of the root mean square error (RMSE) of force signal between COPD patients and healthy participants for different contraction intensities.
RMSE (%) is calculated as the absolute difference between the average produced force and the target force expressed as a percentage of the target.
Time frame: 10-min
Difference of Sample Entropy (SampEn) of force signal between COPD patients and healthy participants for different contraction intensities.
SampEn is a non-linear approach allowing to quantify the regularity of force signal.
Time frame: 10-min
Difference of Determinism (DET) from Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA) of force signal between COPD patients and healthy participants for different contraction intensities
DET from RQA represent another non-linear approach allowing to assess the regularity of force signal.
Time frame: 10-min
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