Association of lower extremity range of motion and muscle strength with physical performance of community-dwelling older women

Abstract

BackgroundReduced lower extremity range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength are related to functional disability in older adults who cannot perform one or more activities of daily living (ADL) independently. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors of seven lower extremity ROMs and two muscle strengths play dominant roles in the physical performance of community-dwelling older women.MethodsNinety-five community-dwelling older women (mean age ± SD, 70.7 ± 4.7 years; age range, 65–83 years) were enrolled in this study. Seven lower extremity ROMs (hip flexion, hip extension, knee flexion, internal and external hip rotation, ankle dorsiflexion, and ankle plantar flexion) and two muscle strengths (knee extension and flexion) were measured. Physical performance tests, including functional reach test (FRT), 5 m gait test, four square step test (FSST), timed up and go test (TUGT), and five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST) were performed.ResultsStepwise regression models for each of the physical performance tests revealed that hip extension ROM and knee flexion strength were important explanatory variables for FRT, FSST, and FTSST. Furthermore, ankle plantar flexion ROM and knee extension strength were significant explanatory variables for the 5 m gait test and TUGT. However, ankle dorsiflexion ROM was a significant explanatory variable for FRT alone. The amount of variance on stepwise multiple regression for the five physical performance tests ranged from 25 (FSST) to 47% (TUGT).ConclusionsHip extension, ankle dorsiflexion, and ankle plantar flexion ROMs, as well as knee extension and flexion strengths may play primary roles in the physical performance of community-dwelling older women. Further studies should assess whether specific intervention programs targeting older women may achieve improvements in lower extremity ROM and muscle strength, and thereby play an important role in the prevention of dependence on daily activities and loss of physical function, particularly focusing on hip extension, ankle dorsiflexion, and ankle plantar flexion ROMs as well as knee extension and flexion strength.

The Relationship Between Muscle Strength and Range of Motion in Lower Extremity With Balance and Risk of Falling in Elderl

“…They reported no significant difference in the muscle strength of the knee extensors and flexors in the elderly with and without a history of falling. The present study results were in line with those of Jung et al [13]; they reported that the muscle strength of the knee extensors and flexors significantly decreased in the elderly with a history of falls.…”

“…Jung et al examined the relationship between muscle strength and range of motion, and the level of physical activity in the elderly with a history of falling [13]. They suggested a significant decrease in the range of motion hip extension, ankle dorsiflexion, and ankle plantar flexion.…”

Short-Term Training and Detraining Effects of Supervised vs. Unsupervised Resistance Exercise in Aging Adults

“…Furthermore, many movement deficits develop during later adulthood such as a lack of ankle ROM and reduced hip extension, which result in adverse gait kinematics and a decline in functionality (34).…”

Association between muscle strength and health-related quality of life in a Chinese rural elderly population: a cross-sectional study

“…The timed up and go test (TUGT) time of each participant was used to measure their lower limb muscle strength, and was conducted using an armchair and a stopwatch,13 14 by trained physicians from the PLA General Hospital (expressed in seconds). The participants were asked to sit on the provided armchair, with their hands on the chair’s arms, and to stand up after hearing a password from the physician (whereby timing began on the stopwatch), and to walk 3 m forward and back before sitting down again (timing ends).…”