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A Custom-Made Electronic Dynamometer for Evaluation of Peak Ankle Torque after COVID-19

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  • Iulia Iovanca Dragoi
  • Florina Georgeta Popescu
  • Teodor Petrita
  • Florin Alexa
  • Romulus Fabian Tatu
  • Cosmina Ioana Bondor
  • Carmen Tatu
  • Frank L. Bowling
  • Neil D. Reeves
  • Mihai Ionac
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Article number2073
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>7/03/2022
<mark>Journal</mark>Sensors
Issue number5
Volume22
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

The negative effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the musculoskeletal system include symptoms of fatigue and sarcopenia. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on foot muscle strength and evaluate the reproducibility of peak ankle torque measurements in time by using a custom-made electronic dynamometer. In this observational cohort study, we compare two groups of four participants, one exposed to COVID-19 throughout measurements and one unexposed. Peak ankle torque was measured using a portable custom-made electronic dynamometer. Ankle plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscle strength was captured for both feet at different ankle angles prior and post COVID-19. Average peak torque demonstrated no significant statistical differences between initial and final moment for both groups (p = 0.945). An increase of 4.8%, p = 0.746 was obtained in the group with COVID-19 and a decrease of 1.3%, p = 0.953 was obtained in the group without COVID-19. Multivariate analysis demonstrated no significant differences between the two groups (p = 0.797). There was a very good test–retest reproducibility between the measurements in initial and final moments (ICC = 0.78, p < 0.001). In conclusion, peak torque variability is similar in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups and the custom-made electronic dynamometer is a reproducible method for repetitive ankle peak torque measurements.