Strong like bull (Part 2)

A study was performed a number of years ago on the anterior tibialis muscles of dialysis patients. The anterior tibialis is the muscle on the front of your lower leg next to your shin. The study showed some interesting effects that occurs to individuals who are receiving dialysis. The size of the muscle in all the people tested was not significantly different on dialysis patients when compared to individuals not receiving dialysis. What was interesting in the results was that the composition of the muscles were significantly different in the two groups. In those receiving dialysis there was less contractile tissue in the muscle, less ability for the muscle to generate force, and less of what is called specific strength.

Part of what can be concluded from this study was that as an individual transitions to the need of dialysis there will not necessarily be a decrease in the size of the muscles. What does happen is that the composition of that muscle begins to have less contractile tissue and more non-contractile tissue. This change leads to less ability of muscles to develop force to complete ordinary tasks and inability to walk independently. We will talk more in the future about the importance of hand grip in kidney patients and it's importance.

Specific strength of a muscle is defined as the maximum amount a muscle can contract divided by the size of the muscle. As we discussed earlier, the size of the muscles for those on dialysis doesn't shrink, yet the maximum amount of force the muscle contracts decreases thus lowering the specific strength of a muscle. This also points to the need for strength in all muscle groups to allow an individual to function to their greatest ability.

Renal Rehab is designed to test for where an individuals weaknesses may be and create personalized, medically designed activity programs to help people keep their strength and improve strength in those who need it.

#renalrehab, #strength, #muscle,