Moment-angular velocity characteristics of trunk muscles in women following mastectomy

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Malicka, Iwona^a

Affiliations: [a] Physiotherapy Department, University of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Poland

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Iwona Malicka, Wydział Fizjoterapii, Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego, ul. Rzeźbiarska 4, 51-629 Wrocław, Poland. Tel.: +48713473630; Fax: +4871347609; E-mail: imalicka@sreh.awf.wroc.pl

Abstract: The aim of this research was to determine strength-velocity characteristics of trunk flexors and extensors in women after mastectomy and to compare these with the corresponding parameters derived from a matched group of healthy women. The study comprised of 96 women divided into three groups: 32 women after mastectomy and undergoing rehabilitation, 34 women after mastectomy but without rehabiliation and 30 healthy women. The tests were conducted at 60, 90 and 120°/s. Women after mastectomy, who did not take part in rehabilitation, had on average a 40% strength deficiency compared to the control group, the most severe deficiency observed at 60°/s. These women achieved only 57% of the healthy women capability for extensor muscles and 49% for flexor muscles of spine. Women undergoing rehabilitation performed significantly better despite the radical oncological treatment. At 60°/s they achieved 151% of a capability of the healthy women for extensor muscles and 123% for flexor muscles of trunk.

Keywords: breast cancer, physiotherapy, trunk muscles, functional dynamometry

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 127-133, 2004