Lower extremity muscle strength equation of older adults assessed by Five Time Sit to Stand Test (FTSST).

Background: The decline in lower limb muscle strength, one of the risk factors for falling in the older adults, puts older persons at an increased risk of falling. The assessment of the lower limb muscle strength is very important. Objective: The purpose of this study was to construct the equation for predicting knee extensor muscle strength based on demographic data and the results of the Five-Time Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST). Methods: A total of 121 healthy elders (mean age 68.00±7.26) were asked to complete the FTSST and submit the demographic information. By using a stationary push-pull dynamometer, the knee extensor strength of each participant was assessed. The multiple regression analysis was used to explore knee extensor strength prediction equation. Results: The findings demonstrated that the knee extensor strength equation was developed using variables obtained from gender, weight, and time to complete the FTSST. The equation was found to have a high correlation (r=0.838) and 70.1% estimation power. Its formula was as follows: Knee extensor strength=32.735+3.688 (gender; female=0 or male=1) + 0.189 (weight) - 2.617 (time to complete the FTSST). However, there was an estimating error in this equation of 4.72 kg. Conclusion: The determining factors influencing knee extensor strength, which can be utilized to estimate the strength in elderly individuals, are demographic variables including gender, weight, and the time taken to complete the FTSST.

Modified Squat Test for Predicting Knee Muscle Strength in Older Adults.

Background: Methods for evaluating the strength of the knee extensor muscles play a vital role in determining the functionality of the lower limbs and monitoring any alterations that occur over time in older individuals. This study assessed the validity of the modified squat test (MST) in predicting knee extensor muscle strength in older adults. Methods: This study included a total of 110 older adults. We collected demographic information such as sex, age, body weight, height, and thigh circumference. Muscle strength was assessed by measuring the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors, and by performing the MST (5 and 10 repetitions) and single-leg standing balance test. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate multiple factors impacting the prediction of knee extensor strength. Results: Factors such as age, sex, thigh circumference, performance on the single-leg standing eye-open (SSEO) task, and the time required to complete the 10 MST repetitions together explained 77.8% of the variation in knee extensor muscle strength among older adults. We further developed a predictive equation to calculate strength as follows: strength = 36.78 - 0.24 (age) + 6.16 (sex) + 0.19 (Thigh circumference) + 0.05 (SSEO) - 0.54 (Time required to complete 10 MST repetitions) ± 5.51 kg. Conclusion: The 10-repetition MST is an invaluable instrument for establishing an equation to accurately predict lower limb muscle strength.

Overweight in elderly increases postural instability during sit-to-stand test: a Kinect-based assessment.

BACKGROUND: Being overweight increases the risk of falls and subsequent injuries. However, conventional functional balance tests may not be appropriate for this population as body weight can affect test performance. Thus, it is crucial to develop reliable methods for assessing balance ability in overweight individuals. AIM: The purpose of this study was to utilize a portable gaming device (Kinect Xbox 360) to measure the center of mass (CoM) of elderly individuals and compare the results between normal weight and overweight elderly women. METHODS: The study included 64 female elderly individuals who were divided into two groups: 32 normal weight and 32 overweight subjects, matched for age (matched pairs design). The study collected the body's CoM during the five-time sit-to-stand test (FTSST) using Kinect camera. Additionally, the participants underwent the time up and go test (TUGT) and one-leg standing balance (OLSB) tests. The Kinect Xbox 360 demonstrated high test-retest reliability for measuring body's center of mass sway, with ICC3,1 value of 0.982 in the vertical direction, 0.983 in the mediolateral (ML) direction, and 0.997 in the anteroposterior (AP) direction. Additionally, the technical error of measurement (TEM) was very low at 0.006, 0.002, and 0.004, respectively. The % coefficient of variation ranged from 1.31% to 5.68%, indicating good measurement consistency. RESULTS: Overweight individuals took longer to complete FTSST and TUGT compared to normal weight individuals, but no significant difference was observed in OLSB tests. Moreover, overweight elderly individuals had greater sway length in the ML and AP directions compared to normal weight elderly individuals. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Overweight elderly individuals had poorer balance than their normal weight counterparts when using Kinect camera. The researchers suggest that Kinect device can be a cost-effective alternative to measure balance performance among overweight elderly in the community-based setting.

Using a Standing Heel-Rise Test as a Predictor of Ankle Muscle Strength in the Elderly.

The senior population is at increased risk of falling due to a reduction in ankle muscle strength. Evaluating the strength of the ankle muscles in older adults is of paramount importance. The purpose of this study was to formulate an equation to estimate ankle muscle strength by utilizing the basic physical characteristics of the subject and the variables related to their ability to perform the standing heel-rise test (SHRT). One hundred and thirty-two healthy elderly participants (mean age 67.30 ± 7.60) completed the SHRT and provided demographic information. Ankle plantar flexor (PF) muscle strength was evaluated using a push-pull dynamometer. Multiple regression analysis was utilized to develop a prediction equation for ankle PF muscle strength. The study revealed that the ankle PF strength equation was derived from variables including the power index of the SHRT, gender, age, calf circumference, and single-leg standing balance test. The equation exhibited a strong correlation (r = 0.816) and had a predictive power of 65.3%. The equation is represented as follows: ankle PF strength = 24.31 - 0.20(A) + 8.14(G) + 0.49(CC) + 0.07(SSEO) + 0.20(BW/t-SHRT). The equation had an estimation error of 5.51 kg. The strength of ankle PFs in elderly individuals can be estimated by considering demographic variables, including gender, age, calf circumference, single-leg standing balance test, and the power index of the SHRT. These factors were identified as significant determinants of ankle PF strength in this population.

Balance Ability and Quality of Life in Older Adult with Recovery from Mild COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to assess the ability to balance and quality of life (QoL) among older adults without a history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and those who had recovered from mild COVID-19. METHODS: We recruited 80 older adults and categorized them into the following two groups based on their history of COVID-19: those without COVID-19 (n=40) and those who had recovered from mild COVID-19 (n=40). We assessed the participants' ability to balance using the multi-directional reach test and timed up and go (TUG) test, and evaluated their QoL using the Short Form-36. RESULTS: Compared with older adults without a history of COVID-19, those who had recovered from mild COVID-19 demonstrated no differences in the scores of the forward, backward, right, and left directions (p>0.05), but a significantly longer duration for the TUG test (p=0.02) and a reduced QoL. CONCLUSION: Our study results demonstrated decreased ability to balance and poor QoL among older adults who had recovered from mild COVID-19.