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January 2019 - Volume 30 - Issue 1

  • Sean M. Collins, PT, ScD
  • 1541-7891
  • 2374-8907
  • Quarterly
In this Special Issue of CPTJ, we bring together a series of review papers on topics relevant to understanding skeletal muscle dysfunction, how to evaluate it, and how to address it through training interventions. 

Kasawara et al. provide an overview of the impairments observed in skeletal muscle structure and function and the contributing factors to muscle dysfunction across several common cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Two reviews focused on evaluations of muscle dysfunction. Mathur et al. discuss reliable and valid tests used to assess skeletal muscle strength, physical function and mobility in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and describe the practical issues related to conducting these tests in the clinical setting. Parry et al. review the methodological issues related to ultrasound imaging in the evaluation of skeletal muscle size, structure and composition with a focus on the current literature in critical illness and COPD.  We have also included two reviews on different aspects of exercise training. An important consequence of muscle weakness is impaired balance, McLay et al. have reviewed the literature on balance and muscle dysfunction in COPD, and provide guidelines on the assessment and training of balance in this population. In the review by Ahmed et al., respiratory muscle dysfunction in discussed in the context of individuals with diaphragmatic dysfunction due to mechanical ventilation. The authors provide a review of the mechanisms of respiratory muscle dysfunction in this population, as well as guidelines for training the respiratory muscles. 

We hope that you will find this Special Issue relevant to your clinical practice and will challenge your thinking related to the assessment and treatment of muscle dysfunction in cardiopulmonary populations.

Sunita Mathur & Darlene Reid
Guest Editors