Effects of Taekwondo and Lower Limb Muscle Strength Exercise on Physical Function, Lower Limb Muscle Strength and Gait Function in Pre-Frailty Elderly Women

Abstract Study design Randomized sham-controlled clinical trial. Objectives The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) compared to sham stimulation, on the development of lower limb muscle strength and gait function during rehabilitation of spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting SCI rehabilitation hospital in Viborg, Denmark. Methods Twenty individuals with SCI were randomized to receive rTMS (REAL, n = 11) or sham stimulation (SHAM, n = 9) and usual care for 4 weeks. rTMS (20 Hz, 1800 pulses per session) or sham stimulation was delivered over leg M1 Monday–Friday before lower limb resistance training or physical therapy. Lower limb maximal muscle strength (MVC) and gait function were assessed pre- and post intervention. Lower extremity motor score (LEMS) was assessed at admission and at discharge. Results One individual dropped out due to seizure. More prominent increases in total leg (effect size (ES): 0.40), knee flexor (ES: 0.29), and knee extensor MVC (ES: 0.34) were observed in REAL compared to SHAM; however, repeated-measures ANOVA revealed no clear main effects for any outcome measure (treatment p > 0.15, treatment × time p > 0.76, time p > 0.23). LEMS improved significantly for REAL at discharge, but not for SHAM, and REAL demonstrated greater improvement in LEMS than SHAM (p < 0.02). Similar improvements in gait performance were observed between groups. Conclusions High-frequency rTMS may increase long-term training-induced recovery of lower limb muscle strength following SCI. The effect on short-term recovery is unclear. Four weeks of rTMS, when delivered in conjunction with resistance training, has no effect on recovery of gait function, indicating a task-specific training effect.

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Contribution of lower limb muscle strength to walking, postural sway and functional performance in elderly women

Isokinetics and Exercise Science ◽

10.3233/ies-203105 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Javad Sarvestan ◽

Zuzana Kovacikova ◽

Petr Linduska ◽

Zuzana Gonosova ◽

Zdenek Svoboda

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Postural Sway ◽

Lower Limb Muscle ◽

Limb Muscle

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Falls, muscle strength, and functional abilities in community-dwelling elderly women

Fisioterapia em Movimento ◽

10.1590/1980-5918.030.002.ao16 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 357-366

Author(s):

Viviane Santos Borges ◽

Nayara Santos Silva ◽

Ariana Cristina Malta ◽

Nathália Cristina Xavier ◽

Lorene Elka Santana Bernardes

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Knee Extensors ◽

Functional Abilities ◽

Lower Limb Muscle ◽

Limb Muscle ◽

Plantar Flexors

Abstract Introduction: Falls are among the most common and serious problems facing elderly women. Falling is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, reduced functioning, loss of independence and hospitalization. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association among fear of falling, muscle strength, and functional abilities in community-dwelling elderly women. Methods: Forty-nine elderly women (70.57 ± 5.59 years) participated in this study. Records of falls, self-efficacy associated with falls (FES-I Brazil), functional abilities (the Timed Up and Down Stairs test [TUDS] and the Timed Up and Go test [TUG]), lower limb muscle strength (knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors), and hand grip strength were investigated as variables of interest. Descriptive statistics, the one-way ANOVA, and linear regression tests were used to analyze the association between fear of falling and falls with other variables (α = 0.05). Results: Elderly women who presented records of falls within the last year had lesser strength of knee extensors and plantar flexors (p ≤. 05). Those who had low self-efficacy associated with falls presented lower strength of knee extensors (p ≤. 01). Variables associated with functional abilities (r = 0.70) and lower limb strength (r = 0.53) showed a positive correlation (p ≤. 01). Conclusion: The concern with the fear of falling and falls may be negative effects caused by lower limb muscle weakness.

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