Wrist muscle function, pain level and performance in cheerleaders with and without wrist pain: clinical relevance and statistical significance
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Giovanna Camparis Lessi
Maceió University Center
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Objectives: To compare wrist muscle strength, grip strength and electrical activity of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) and extensor carpi ulnaris muscles between cheerleaders with and without wrist pain as well as investigate pain and compromised performance regarding the sport and activities of daily living (ADLs). Methods: This is cross-sectional study evaluated wrist and hand muscle capacity using an isokinetic dynamometer and handgrip dynamometer. Electrical muscle activity was captured during the strength evaluations. Pain at rest, post-training pain and impaired physical function during the sport and ADLs were evaluated using a scale and questionnaire. Results: Twenty-two cheerleaders participated in the study (11 with pain - symptomatic group [SG] and 11 without pain - control group [CG]). Statistically significant and clinically relevant differences between groups were found regarding total work during wrist extension in the concentric mode activity (CG: 13.5 ± 21.2 vs SG 6.6 ± 2.3; p = 0.05), activation of the FDS (CG: 57.0 ± 30.9 vs SG 31.8 ± 10.8; p = 0.03) and FCU (CG: 48.0 ± 18.5 vs SG 30.7 ± 16.8; p = 0.03) muscles during isokinetic evaluation of concentric peak torque of wrist flexion, activation of the FDS (CG: 121.5 ± 55.3 vs SG 65.3 ± 19.7; p = 0.005) and FCU (CG: 94.0 ± 35.9 vs SG 63.0 ± 32.4; p = 0.046) muscles during isokinetic evaluation of concentric total work of wrist flexion, pain intensity at rest (CG: 0 [0] vs SG 0.5 [2.0];p = 0.006) and after training (CG: 0 [0] vs SG 6.3 [2.5];p < 0.001) and degree of impairment regarding sport (CG: 8.2 ± 6.4 vs SG 16.3 ± 8.5; p = 0.02) and ADLs (CG: 14.8 ± 1.8 vs SG 46.0 ± 16.8; p < 0.001). Cheerleaders with wrist pain exhibited greater impairments. Conclusion: Cheerleaders with wrist pain exhibit compromised muscle function of the wrist and hand as well as upper limb impairment during the practice of the sport and the performance of activities of daily living.
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- 2026-05-20
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