Relationship between age and measures of balance, strength and gait: linear and non-linear analyses

2008 ◽  
Vol 114 (12) ◽  
pp. 719-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie El Haber ◽  
Bircan Erbas ◽  
Keith D. Hill ◽  
John D. Wark
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Threshold Effects ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Risk Of Falls

An age-related decline in balance, gait and lower-extremity muscle strength measures may lead to increased risk of falls and fractures. Previous studies have reported a possible non-linear age-related decline in these measures, but the choice of methodological approach has limited its interpretation. Healthy community-dwelling women (n=212) 21–82 years of age were evaluated for strength [Nicholas MMT (manual muscle tester)], gait [CSA (clinical stride analyser)], activity [HAP (human activity profile)] and static and dynamic balance [CBS (Chattecx balance system), LBT (Lord's balance test) and the ST (step test)]. A GAM (generalized additive model) was developed for each outcome variable to estimate the functional relationship, with age as a continuous variable. Performance was maintained until 45–55 years of age, depending on the outcome measure. Thereafter a decline in performance was evident with increasing age in all measures. Overall, a significant non-linear relationship with age was demonstrated for lower-extremity strength measures (MMT), velocity and double support duration of gait (CSA) and some clinical and laboratory balance tests [ST, LBT (eyes open) and the CBS]. Linear relationships were demonstrated by the LBT with eyes closed and activity measures. Balance, lower-extremity muscle strength and gait may decline non-linearly with age. Our study suggests possible threshold effects between age and balance, muscle strength and gait measures in women. Further research into these threshold effects may have implications for the optimal timing of exercise and other interventions to reduce the risk of falls and fractures.

scholarly journals 124 Core Stability is Involved in the Fall Risk of Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv28-iv33
Author(s):  
Tagashira Satoshi ◽  
Takashima Atsushi ◽  
Shintani Takeshi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Fall Prevention ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Core Stability ◽  
Step Test ◽  
The Core ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle

Abstract Background Fall prevention in older adults is an important task. Lower extremity function is a main focus in fall prevention. There are few previous studies focusing on core stability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between fall risk and core stability. Methods The study participants were 33 community-dwelling older adults (mean age: 65±17 years old; 5 men, 28 women). The fall risk was assessed using the Fall Risk Index-21 (FRI-21). Core stability measured the retention time of Side Bridge (SB) and Front Bridge (FB). Secondary outcome measures included lower extremity muscle strength (knee extension, hip abduction) and physical function (two-step test). Statistical analysis investigated the correlation between the measurement items. Results We found a significant negative correlation between FRI-21 and SB (r = -0.51, p<0.01) and FRI-21 and FB (r = -0.47, p<0.01). We also found a correlation between FRI-21 and the two-step test (r = -0.40, p<0.05). There was no significant correlation between FRI-21 and lower extremity muscle strength. Discussion FRI and Core stability showed moderate correlation. It suggests that the core and hip muscle functions involved in posture retention are involved with fall. Conclusion The risk of falls in older adults was related to core stability. If the core stability of older adults improves, it may help to reduce the risk of falling. Therefore, it is useful to consider core stability in the assessment of fall risk.

scholarly journals Long-term participation in community group exercise improves lower extremity muscle strength and delays age-related declines in walking speed and physical function in older adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chisato Hayashi ◽  
Soshiro Ogata ◽  
Tadashi Okano ◽  
Hiromitsu Toyoda ◽  
Sonoe Mashino
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Group Exercise ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle

Abstract Background The effects of group exercise on the physical function of community-dwelling older adults remain unclear. The changes in lower extremity muscle strength, timed up and go (TUG) time, and the motor fitness scale (MFS), over time, among older adults who expressed a willingness to participate in community-based physical exercise groups, were determined using multilevel modelling. Methods We analyzed data of 2407 older adults between April 2010 and December 2019 from the registry of physical tests of community-based physical exercise groups. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess the effect of physical exercise on lower extremity muscle strength, TUG time, and MFS scores. The durations of the exercises were evaluated by frequency of physical test’s participate. Results A deterioration in lower extremity muscle strength was found in the short-term participant group only. However, in the mid-term and long-term participation groups, lower extremity muscle strength showed a trend of improvement. The TUG time and the MFS score were negatively correlated with increasing age in both groups divided by the duration of participation. However, there was a slower rate of deterioration in the long-term participation group. Discussion Lower extremity muscle strength, TUG time, and MFS scores decline with increasing age and there were differences in the slope of deterioration that depended on the duration of participation in community-based group exercise. Conclusion Participation in group exercise improved lower extremity muscle strength, TUG time, and MFS scores of older adults living in a community. The positive effects of group exercise were dependent on long-term participation.

Nature of Age-Related Changes in Muscle Strength of the Extremities of Women

1996 ◽  
Vol 83 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1155-1160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard W. Bohannon
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Potential Importance ◽  
Functional Importance ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Aging Women ◽  
Muscle Actions ◽  
Age Related Changes

Age-related changes in the muscle strength of the extremities of 123 women (20–79 years) were measured using a hand-held dynamometer. The isometric strength of three upper- and three lower-extremity muscle actions declined across ages. The magnitudes of strength decreases were a function of both the action and side tested. The earlier and steeper strength declines in actions of functional importance, e.g., knee extension, should alert those working with aging women of the potential importance of strengthening such muscle actions.

scholarly journals Association between physical functioning with cognition among community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Fonseca Nogueira Alves ◽  
Bruno Remígio Cavalcante ◽  
Amanda de Araújo Valença ◽  
Igor Rafael Campos ◽  
Milena Lucilla Lácio Tomaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Lower Extremity Muscle ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: Declines in physical and cognitive functioning often co-exist through aging. Gait-related parameters have been related to cognitive function, although it is unclear whether other measures of physical functioning are similarly related to cognition. Here, we analyzed the relationship between physical functioning with cognition in older adults. Methods: In total, 116 participants were included (M age = 69 years, SD = 6; 71% women). We quantified cognitive functioning using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and executive functioning tasks (Digit Span Forward minus Backward and verbal fluency tests). Physical function measures included gait speed, Short-physical Performance Battery (SPPB), five-times Sit-to-Stand Test, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the Six-minute Walk Test (6MWT), and lower extremity muscle strength. We used multiple linear regression analyses to explore the association between cognitive measures and each measure of physical functioning, adjusting for age, sex, education, and RCT. Results: We observed a positive association between muscle strength and the MoCA (b = 0.84, SE = 0.40, 95%CI 0.05–1.64) after controlling for covariates. Significant associations were also found between the five-times-sit-to-stand test (b = -0.63, SE = 0.26, 95%CI -1.15–-0.12), TUG (b = -1.13, SE = 0.57, 95%CI -2.26–-0.01), 6MWT (b = 0.04, SE = 0.02, 95%CI 0.01–0.07), and lower extremity muscle strength (b = 1.92, SE = 0.93, 95%CI 0.09–3.77) with the FAS verbal fluency test, and between the TUG (b = -0.62, SE = 0.24, 95%CI -1.11–-0.14) with animal naming. Conclusion: In community-dwelling older adults, higher levels of muscle strength, dynamic balance and cardiorespiratory fitness were positively related with global cognition and executive control measures.

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