Knee flexor and extensor torque evaluation in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without neuropathy: possible alterations in hamstrings/quadriceps ratio (H/Q)

• Grant number: 18/14610-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal researcher: Tania de Fatima Salvini
• Grantee: Afonso Henrique Aguilar Santune
• Home Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Physical activity is highly recommended for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) with and without peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN) for improving glycemic control and preventing cardiovascular diseases. However, these individuals show a decrease in concentric and maintenance in eccentric knee torque, predisposing to joint instability and injuries associated with the practice of physical activity. Study the H/Q ratio (hamstrings/quadriceps) of the knee can contribute to the monitoring and control of the risk of injury in this population. Objective: To analyze the functional and conventional H/Q ratio in DM2 individuals with and without (PDN), regarding a control group. Hypotheses: The conventional H/Q ratio will be similar among groups (DM2, PDN, and control); the functional H/Q ratio for an extension will be lower and functional for flexion will be higher in DM2 individuals with and without PDN, regarding the control group. Methods: The functional and conventional H/Q ratios will be calculated using concentric and eccentric peak torques at flexion and extension knee, assessed bilaterally with the Isokinetic Dynamometer. To compare the three groups regarding the H/Q ratio of both sides (dominant and non-dominant) it will be used the analyses of variance (ANOVA) two way with post hoc test. As well it will be used the ANOVA One way with post hoc test to compare the groups regarding the clinical and anthropometric characteristics. The level of significance adopted will be 5%. Before the analyses, it will be tested the homogeneity and the normality in the distribution of the data with Levene and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. If the tests do not meet the assumptions, it will be used non-parametric tests.