Association between functional balance and knee extensors strength in people with Parkinson’s disease
Aims: The aim of this study is to verify if there is a correlation between functional balance and muscular strength of knee extensors in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.Methods: The sample consisted of 28 volunteers with Parkinson’s disease (age: 65.43±8.48 years, height: 1.68±0.10 cm, weight: 71.50±13.27 kg) classified on the modified Hoehn & Yahr scale. The Four Step Square Test and the isokinetic dynamometer were used to evaluate the dynamic balance and muscular strength of knee extensors, respectively.Results: The peak torque shows a moderate, negative and significant correlation with the Four Step Square Test (right knee: r=-0.471 and p=0.012; left knee: r=-0.444 and p=0.018).Conclusions: There is a negative, moderate and significant association between muscular strength of knee extensors and dynamic balance in Parkinson’s disease individuals.