Strength, mobility and falling in women referred to a geriatric outpatient clinic.
Aging Clin Exp Res
; 16(2): 122-5, 2004 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15195986
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
Mobility impairment and falling have a multifactorial etiology in frail older people. Muscle weakness is one of the risk factors and is accessible to intervention. The aim of this study was to determine the most important contributors of mobility and indicators of fall occurrence in women referred to a geriatric outpatient clinic.METHODS:
Mobility was assessed using the Timed 'Get-Up-and-Go' test (TGUG) and the modified Coopertest (COOP). Falling was assessed retrospectively and isometric knee extension force was measured using fixed dynamometry. Habitual physical activity was quantified using a questionnaire for the elderly. Height, weight, medical conditions and current medication were recorded.RESULTS:
Isometric knee extension strength and habitual physical activity, which consisted predominantly of household work, were independent variables of performance on TGUG and COOP and together explained 57% of the variance in TGUG (r=0.75, p<0.001), and 64% of that in COOP, (r=0.80, p<0.001). Age, total number of medical conditions, and presence of cardiovascular disease were not significant in the model. Women in the lowest tertile of knee extension strength had a significantly higher probability of falling (0.75, 95% CI 0.56-0.91) compared with women in the highest tertile (0.27, 95% CI 0.14-0.50).CONCLUSIONS:
Knee extension strength remains a strong determinant of mobility and fall occurrence in women referred to a geriatric outpatient clinic. Performing light to moderate household work remains independently associated with functional mobility.
Search on Google
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Accidentes por Caídas
/
Músculo Esquelético
/
Instituciones de Atención Ambulatoria
/
Servicios de Salud para Ancianos
/
Movimiento
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
País como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Año:
2004
Tipo del documento:
Article