Cohort Differences in Maximal Physical Performance: A Comparison of 75- and 80-Year-Old Men and Women Born 28 Years Apart

Abstract Background Whether increased life expectancy is accompanied by increased functional capacity in older people at specific ages is unclear. We compared similar validated measures of maximal physical performance in 2 population-based older cohorts born and assessed 28 years apart. Method Participants in the first cohort were born in 1910 and 1914 and were assessed at age 75 and 80 years, respectively (N = 500, participation rate 77%). Participants in the second cohort were born in 1938 or 1939 and 1942 or 1943 and were assessed at age 75 and 80 years, respectively (N = 726, participation rate 40%). Participants were recruited using a population register and all community-dwelling persons in the target area were eligible. Both cohorts were interviewed at home and were examined at the research center with identical protocols. Maximal walking speed, maximal isometric grip and knee extension strength, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were assessed. Data on non-participation were systematically collected. Results Walking speed was on average 0.2–0.4 m/s faster in the later than earlier cohort. In grip strength, the improvements were 5%–25%, and in knee extension strength 20%–47%. In FVC, the improvements were 14–21% and in FEV1, 0–14%. Conclusions The later cohort showed markedly and meaningfully higher results in the maximal functional capacity tests, suggesting that currently 75- and 80-year-old people in Finland are living to older ages nowadays with better physical functioning.

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Physical Characteristics Vary According to Body Mass Index in Japanese Community-Dwelling Elderly Women

Geriatrics ◽

10.3390/geriatrics3040087 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 87 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Koji Nonaka ◽

Shin Murata ◽

Kayoko Shiraiwa ◽

Teppei Abiko ◽

Hideki Nakano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Physical Characteristics ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Weight Group ◽

Normal Weight Group ◽

Knee Extension Strength

Background: Body mass index (BMI) is related to health in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical characteristics in underweight, overweight, and obese Japanese community-dwelling elderly women compared to normal-weight elderly women. Methods: The study participants included 212 community-dwelling elderly women. They were categorized as underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 22.9), overweight (23 ≤ BMI ≤ 24.9), and obese (BMI ≥ 25). Data on skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), number of trunk curl-ups performed within 30 seconds, knee extension strength, one-leg standing time, and walking speed were recorded. Results: In the underweight group, the number of trunk curl-ups was significantly lower than that of the normal-weight group (p = 0.011) and the correlation between knee extension strength and walking speed was relatively higher than in the normal-weight group (r = 0.612 vs. r = 0.471). In the overweight group, the SMI was significantly increased (p < 0.001), but knee extension strength was not increased (p = 0.235) compared to that of the normal-weight group. In the obese group, one-leg standing time was significantly shorter than in the normal-weight group (p = 0.016). Conclusions: Physical characteristics vary according to BMI and these findings are useful in assessing and planning interventional programs to improve and maintain physical function in elderly women.

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Sense of Coherence: Effect on Adherence and Response to Resistance Training in Older People With Hip Fracture History

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2012-0229 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 138-145 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Erja Portegijs ◽

Sanna Read ◽

Inka Pakkala ◽

Mauri Kallinen ◽

Ari Heinonen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hip Fracture ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Older People ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Knee Extension Strength ◽

Fracture History

Our aim was to study the effects of sense of coherence (SOC) on training adherence and interindividual changes in muscle strength, mobility, and balance after resistance training in older people with hip fracture history. These are secondary analyses of a 12-week randomized controlled trial of progressive resistance training in 60- to 85-year-old community-dwelling people 0.5–7 years after hip fracture (n = 45; ISRCTN34271567). Pre- and posttrial assessments included SOC, knee extension strength, walking speed, timed up-and-go (TUG), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Group-by-SOC interaction effects (repeated-measures ANOVA) were statistically significant for TUG (p = .005) and BBS (p = .040), but not for knee extension strength or walking speed. Weaker SOC was associated with poorer training adherence (mixed model; p = .009). Thus, more complicated physical tasks did not improve in those with weaker SOC, independently of training adherence. Older people with weaker SOC may need additional psychosocial support in physical rehabilitation programs to optimize training response.

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ASSOCIATION OF GRIP AND KNEE EXTENSION STRENGTH WITH WALKING SPEED OF OLDER WOMEN RECEIVING HOME-CARE PHYSICAL THERAPY

Journal of Frailty & Aging ◽

10.14283/jfa.2015.74 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

R.W. BOHANNON

Keyword(s):

Home Care ◽

Grip Strength ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Care Setting ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Women Patients ◽

Knee Extension Strength ◽

Relative Value ◽

Walking Performance

Background: Decreased muscle strength and limited physical performance are key elements of frailty and sarcopenia. The relative value of grip and knee extension strength for explaining walking performance has not been clearly established. Objectives: Compare the ability of grip and knee extension strength to explain gait speed. Design: Retrospective use of cross-sectionally obtained data. Setting: Patients’ homes. Participants:Forty-four ambulatory women patients at least 65 years of age. Measurements: Grip and knee extension forces obtained bilaterally with dynamometers and comfortable gait speed. Results: Knee extension forces were, but grip strength forces were not, correlated significantly with gait speed. Knee extension forces were able, but grip strength forces were not able, to satisfactorily identify patients with gait speeds < .40 m/sec. Conclusions:For women receiving therapy in a home-care setting, physical performance as reflected by gait speed is better explained by knee extension strength than by grip strength.

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Physical Activity during Winter in Old-Old Women Associated with Physical Performance after One Year: A Prospective Study

Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research ◽

10.1155/2015/253451 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Atsushi Mizumoto ◽

Hikaru Ihira ◽

Keitaro Makino ◽

Shigeyuki Saitoh ◽

Hirofumi Ohnishi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Step Counts ◽

Physical Performances ◽

Maintenance Group

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the decline of physical activity during winter influences physical performances (after 1 year) in old-old women.Methods. Fifty-three Japanese women (mean age: 78.4 ± 3.2 years) participated in this study. Data of physical activity was collected by using an accelerometer at baseline and 3-month follow-up, and participants who decreased step counts in this period were defined as declining groups. We measured grip strength, knee extensor strength, total length of the center of gravity, hip walking distance, and maximum walking speed to evaluate physical performances at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Repeated-measures analysis of variance determined the difference in physical performance between declining groups and maintenance group with maintained or improved step counts.Results. Daily step counts for 22 older women (41.5%) decreased during winter. A statistically significant interaction effect between group and time was found for maximum walking speed (F(1,50)=5.23,p=0.03).Post hoccomparisons revealed that walking speed in the maintenance group significantly increased compared with baseline (p=0.01); the declining group showed no significant change (p=0.44).Conclusion. Change of physical activity during winter influences the physical performance level after 1 year in community-dwelling old-old women, particularly its effect on maximum walking speed.

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Usual Walking Speed Predicts Decline of Functional Capacity among Community-Dwelling Older Japanese Women: a 4-year Longitudinal Study

Journal of Physical Therapy Science ◽

10.1589/jpts.22.405 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 405-412 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Hyuma Makizako ◽

Taketo Furuna ◽

Hiroto Yoshida ◽

Hiroyuki Shimada ◽

Katsunori Satoh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Functional Capacity ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Japanese Women ◽

Community Dwelling

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Knee Extension Strength Is a Significant Determinant of Static and Dynamic Balance as Well as Quality of Life in Older Community-Dwelling Women with Osteoporosis

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000065504 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 48 (6) ◽

pp. 360-368 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

Nick D. Carter ◽

Karim M. Khan ◽

Arthur Mallinson ◽

Patti A. Janssen ◽

Ari Heinonen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Significant Determinant ◽

Knee Extension Strength

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ACCELEROMETER-DETERMINED INTENSITY AND DURATION OF HABITUAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND WALKING PERFORMANCE IN WELL-FUNCTIONING MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER WOMEN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Journal of Frailty & Aging ◽

10.14283/jfa.2019.26 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

R.S. Thiebaud ◽

T. Abe ◽

M. Ogawa ◽

J.P. Loenneke ◽

N. Mitsukawa

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Women ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Knee Extension Strength ◽

Walking Speeds

ackground: The association of physical activity (PA) intensities and duration spent in those activities with different walking tasks remains unclear. Objectives: To examine the association between the duration of PA intensities and three walking speeds (usual walking speed, maximal walking speed and zig-zag walking speed). Design: Multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the association of age, BMI, maximum knee extension strength, light PA, moderate PA and vigorous PA with walking speeds. Setting: University lab. Participants: Eighty-six older women (67 ± 7 years). Measurements: PA was measured for 30 consecutive days using the Lifecorder-EX accelerometer. Exercise intensity was categorized as light (levels 1-3), moderate (levels 4-6) and vigorous (levels 7-9) based on the manufacturer algorithms. Usual straight walking speed (20 m), maximal straight walking speed (20 m) and zig-zag walking speed tests (10 m) were performed by each participant. Results: For the usual straight walking speed model (R2 = 0.296, SEE = 0.15 m/s), the significant predictors were BMI, knee extension strength, light PA and vigorous PA. For the maximal straight walking speed model (R2 = 0.326, SEE = 0.20 m/s), only age was a significant predictor. For the zig-zag walking speed model (R2=0.417, SEE = 0.14 m/s), age and maximum knee strength were significant predictors in the model. Conclusions: Overall, the results of this study suggest that vigorous PA and maximal knee extension strength are two important factors that are associated with different walking speeds in older women.

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