scholarly journals Work Ability and Employment in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Role of Muscle Strength and Lower Extremity Function

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Berner ◽  
Sandra Haider ◽  
Igor Grabovac ◽  
Thomas Lamprecht ◽  
Karl Heinrich Fenzl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Lower Extremity Function ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Extremity Function ◽  
Knee Extensor Strength

Objective. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between muscle strength, lower extremity function, employment status, and work ability in RA patients. Methods. One hundred seropositive RA outpatients of working age were included in this cross-sectional study. Employment status was assessed by interview and work ability by the Work Ability Index-Single Item Scale (WAS). Muscle strength was determined using dynamometer measurement of isometric hand grip and knee extensor strength. Lower extremity function was measured using the short physical performance battery (SPPB). Regression models estimate the association between unemployment, work ability and muscle strength, and lower extremity function, controlling for sociodemographic and disease-related factors. Results. Forty-one percent of the RA patients were not gainfully employed, and their median work ability had a good WAS value (7.00 [4.00-7.00]). Patients with better knee extensor strength (OR=1.07, 95% CI [1.02-1.12) and better physical performance (OR=1.71, 95% CI [1.18-2.49]) had a significantly better chance of gainful employment. The odds for hand grip strength remained significant when adjusted for sociodemographic (OR=1.5, 95% CI [1.00-1.09]), but not for disease-specific variables. Better hand grip strength (β=0.25, p=0.039) and better knee extensor strength (β=0.45, p=0.001) as well as better lower extremity function (SPPB) (β=0.51, p<0.001) remained significantly associated with work ability following adjustment for sociodemographic and disease-specific variables. Conclusions. The association of employment status and work ability with parameters of physical fitness suggests that improvement in muscle strength and lower extremity function may positively influence work ability and employment in individuals with RA.

scholarly journals The relationship between lower limb muscle strength and lower extremity function in HIV disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter C. Mhariwa ◽  
Hellen Myezwa ◽  
Mary L. Galantino ◽  
Douglas Maleka
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Lower Limb Muscle ◽  
Limb Muscle ◽  
Plantar Flexors ◽  
Lower Extremity Function ◽  
Extremity Function ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Hiv Negative

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negatively impacts muscle strength and function. This study aimed to establish the relationship between lower limb muscle strength and lower extremity function in HIV disease.Method: A cross-sectional study was undertaken with a sample of 113 HIV-positive participants. Lower limb muscle strength and self-reported function were established using dynamometry and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), respectively. Muscle strength and functional status were established in a subset of 30 HIV-negative participants to determine normative values.Results: Muscle strength for participants with HIV ranged from an ankle dorsiflexion mean of 9.33 kg/m2 to 15.79 kg/m2 in hip extensors. In the HIV-negative group, ankle dorsiflexors recorded 11.17 kg/m2, whereas hip extensors were the strongest, generating 17.68 kg/m2. In the HIV-positive group, linear regression showed a positive relationship between lower limb muscle strength and lower extremity function (r = 0.71, p = 0.00). Fifty per cent of the changes in lower extremity function were attributable to lower limb muscle strength. A simple linear regression model showed that lower limb ankle plantar flexors contributed the most to lower extremity function in this cohort, contrary to the literature which states that hip and trunk muscles are the most active in lower limb functional activities.Conclusion: Lower extremity strength impacts perceived function in individuals stabilised on antiretroviral therapy for HIV disease. These findings demonstrate that ankle plantar flexors produce more force over hip flexors. Careful attention should be paid to the implications for strength training in this population.

scholarly journals Mediating effects of lower extremity function on the relationship between night sleep duration and cardiovascular disease risk: a cross-sectional study in elderly Chinese without cardiovascular diseases

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e046015
Author(s):  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Xiaoyu Chen ◽  
Peipei Han ◽  
Weibo Ma ◽  
Yuanyuan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Sleep Duration ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Night Sleep ◽  
Lower Extremity Function ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Extremity Function ◽  
Elderly Chinese ◽  
The Relationship

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating effect of physical performance on the relationship between night sleep duration and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in elderly Chinese without CVD.Methods782 participants without CVD over 65 years (average: 70.82±3.86 years, 448 women) were included in this study. CVD risk was calculated by the Framingham Risk Score and participants were divided into four groups of night sleep duration (in hours): <7 hours, ≥7–8 hours, >8–9 hours and >9 hours. Upper extremity function was measured by grip strength and lower extremity function was measured by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), consisting of balance, 4 m walk and chair stands tests.ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, long night sleep duration (>9 hours) and CVD risk were significantly positively associated compared with moderate night sleep duration (≥7–8 hours) (β=1.152; 95% CI 0.05 to 2.25). SPPB total score (indirect effect ab=−0.122; 95% CI −0.291 to –0.0008) rather than grip strength partially mediated the relationship between long night sleep duration and CVD risk, in which chair stands played a major mediating role (indirect effect ab=−0.171; 95% CI −0.040 to –0.0006), while balance (indirect effect ab=−0.016; 95% CI −0.100 to 0.063) and 4 m walk (indirect effect ab=0.048; 95% CI −0.066 to 0.201) did not.ConclusionsLower extremity function, especially lower limb muscle strength, partially mediates a positive association between long night sleep duration and CVD risk in the elderly without CVD. Suitable interventions for physical performance and sleep may minimise the risk of subsequent CVD.

scholarly journals Associations of the Stair Climb Power Test With Muscle Strength and Functional Performance in People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (12) ◽  
pp. 1774-1782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Roig ◽  
Janice J. Eng ◽  
Donna L. MacIntyre ◽  
Jeremy D. Road ◽  
W. Darlene Reid
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Power Test ◽  
Muscle Torque

Background The Stair Climb Power Test (SCPT) is a functional test associated with leg muscle power in older people. Objective The purposes of this study were to compare the results of the SCPT in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and people who were healthy and to explore associations of the SCPT with muscle strength (force-generating capacity) and functional performance. Design The study was a cross-sectional investigation. Methods Twenty-one people with COPD and a predicted mean (SD) percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 47.2 (12.9) and 21 people who were healthy and matched for age, sex, and body mass were tested with the SCPT. Knee extensor and flexor muscle torque was assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer. Functional performance was assessed with the Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG) and the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Results People with COPD showed lower values on the SCPT (28%) and all torque measures (∼32%), except for eccentric knee flexor muscle torque. In people with COPD, performance on the TUG and 6MWT was lower by 23% and 28%, respectively. In people with COPD, the SCPT was moderately associated with knee extensor muscle isometric and eccentric torque (r≥.46) and strongly associated (r=.68) with the 6MWT. In people who were healthy, the association of the SCPT with knee extensor muscle torque tended to be stronger (r≥.66); however, no significant relationship between the SCPT and measures of functional performance was found. Limitations The observational design of the study and the use of a relatively small convenience sample limit the generalizability of the findings. Conclusions The SCPT is a simple and safe test associated with measures of functional performance in people with COPD. People with COPD show deficits on the SCPT. However, the SCPT is only moderately associated with muscle torque and thus cannot be used as a simple surrogate for muscle strength in people with COPD.

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