Balance control during stair descent on compliant surface is associated with knee flexor and ankle plantar flexor strength in older adults

Background and Purpose Vibration training is a relatively new exercise intervention. This study investigated the effects of vibration exercise on strength (force-producing capacity) and power in older adults who are healthy. Participants and Methods Thirty participants (mean age=73.7 years, SD=4.6) were randomly assigned to a vibration exercise training (VIB) group or an exercise without vibration training (EX) group. The interventions consisted of 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Outcome measures included isokinetic flexor and extensor strength and power of the hip, knee, and ankle. Results The VIB group significantly improved ankle plantar flexor strength and power compared with the EX group. However, there were no significant differences between the VIB and EX groups for knee flexor or extensor strength. Discussion and Conclusion Vibration training contributed to an increase in plantar flexor strength and power. However, the strength gains for the knee and hip flexors and extensors for the VIB group and the EX group were comparable. Future vibration protocols should explore different body positions to target muscles higher up on the leg.

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The Effectiveness of Community-Based Tai Chi Training on Balance Control during Stair Descent by Older Adults

Journal of Physical Therapy Science ◽

10.1589/jpts.21.317 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 317-323 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Hyeong-Dong Kim ◽

Jin-Tae Han ◽

Yong-Ho Cho

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Tai Chi ◽

Balance Control ◽

Community Based ◽

Stair Descent

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Decreased Muscle Strength Relates to Self-Reported Stooping, Crouching, or Kneeling Difficulty in Older Adults

Physical Therapy ◽

10.2522/ptj.20090035 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 90 (1) ◽

pp. 67-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Manuel E. Hernandez ◽

Allon Goldberg ◽

Neil B. Alexander

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Knee Extensor ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Functional Mobility ◽

Plantar Flexor ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Muscle Groups ◽

Flexor Strength

Background Bending down and kneeling are fundamental tasks of daily living, yet nearly a quarter of older adults report having difficulty performing or being unable to perform these movements. Older adults with stooping, crouching, or kneeling (SCK) difficulty have demonstrated an increased fall risk. Strength (force-generating capacity) measures may be useful for determining both SCK difficulty and fall risk. Objective The purposes of this study were: (1) to examine muscle strength differences in older adults with and without SCK difficulty and (2) to examine the relative contributions of trunk and leg muscle strength to SCK difficulty. Design This was a cross-sectional observational study. Methods Community-dwelling older adults (age [X̅±SD]=75.5±6.0 years) with SCK difficulty (n=27) or without SCK difficulty (n=21) were tested for leg and trunk strength and functional mobility. Isometric strength at the trunk, hip, knee, and ankle also was normalized by body weight and height. Results Compared with older adults with no SCK difficulty, those with SCK difficulty had significant decreases in normalized trunk extensor, knee extensor, and ankle dorsiflexor and plantar-flexor strength. In 2 separate multivariate analyses, raw ankle plantar-flexor strength (odds ratio [OR]=0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.95–0.99) and normalized knee extensor strength (OR=0.61, 95% CI=0.44–0.82) were significantly associated with SCK difficulty. Stooping, crouching, and kneeling difficulty also correlated with measures of functional balance and falls. Limitations Although muscle groups that were key to rising from SCK were examined, there are other muscle groups that may contribute to safe SCK performance. Conclusions Decreased muscle strength, particularly when normalized for body size, predicts SCK difficulty. These data emphasize the importance of strength measurement at multiple levels in predicting self-reported functional impairment.

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Age-related differences in stair descent balance control: Are women more prone to falls than men?

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244990 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. e0244990

Author(s):

Zuzana Kováčiková ◽

Javad Sarvestan ◽

Erika Zemková

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older Women ◽

Balance Control ◽

Centre Of Pressure ◽

Stair Descent ◽

Age Related ◽

Gender And Age ◽

One Step ◽

Main Effects ◽

Forward Falls

Stair descent is one of the most common forms of daily locomotion and concurrently one of the most challenging and hazardous daily activities performed by older adults. Thus, sufficient attention should be devoted to this locomotion and to the factors that affect it. This study investigates gender and age-related differences in balance control during and after stair descent on a foam mat. Forty-seven older adults (70% women) and 38 young adults (58% women) performed a descent from one step onto a foam mat. Anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) centre of pressure velocity (CoP) and standard deviation of the CoP sway were investigated during stair descent and restabilization. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed the main effects of age for the first 5 s of restabilization. Older women exhibited significantly higher values of CoP sway and velocity in both directions compared to the younger individuals (CoP SDAP5, 55%; CoP SDML5, 30%; CoP VAP5, 106%; CoP VML5, 75%). Men achieved significantly higher values of CoP sway and velocity only in the AP direction compared to their younger counterparts (CoP SDAP5, 50% and CoP VAP5, 79%). These findings suggest that with advancing age, men are at higher risk of forward falls, whereas women are at higher risk of forward and sideways falls.

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Knee flexor strength and balance control impairment may explain declines during prolonged walking in women with mild multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.msard.2018.01.024 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. 181-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Cintia Ramari ◽

Andréa G. Moraes ◽

Carlos B. Tauil ◽

Felipe von Glehn ◽

Robert Motl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Balance Control ◽

Knee Flexor ◽

Flexor Strength

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Plantar Flexor Strength Training With Home-Based Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Improves Limits of Postural Stability in Older Adults

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2019-0501 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 657-661 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Antoine Langeard ◽

Lucile Bigot ◽

Gilles Loggia ◽

Nathalie Chastan ◽

Gaëlle Quarck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽

Training Group ◽

Strength Increase ◽

Plantar Flexor ◽

Limits Of Stability ◽

Home Based ◽

Flexor Strength

Background: The study aimed to determine whether improved muscle strength after 12 weeks of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of plantar and dorsiflexors could result in better limits of stability in older adults. Methods: Twenty-seven participants were divided into a control group and a neuromuscular home-based training group. The training group performed a 3-month long NMES training of both plantar and dorsiflexors. Ankle flexor strength and limits of stability were measured. A mediation analysis was conducted to determine whether the NMES effect on the limits of stability was mediated by increased strength. Results: The NMES training increased plantar flexor strength (+47%; β = 0.217, P = .02), and this increase predicted the anterior limits of stability improvement (+27%; β = 0.527, P = .02). The effect of the NMES on the limits of stability was fully mediated by the plantar flexor strength increase (indirect effect: β = 0.1146; 95% confidence interval, 0.020–0.240). Conclusion: It seems that NMES improves the limits of stability through its positive effect on muscle strength. NMES may be utilized in fall-prevention programs.

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