Muscle Endurance in Elderly Nursing Home Residents Is Related to Fatigue Perception, Mobility, and Circulating Tumor Necrosis Factor‐Alpha, Interleukin‐6, and Heat Shock Protein 70

Abstract

Elderly nursing home residents complaining of fatigue need to be taken seriously, because they show worse muscle endurance, which is related to poorer mobility. Inflammatory processes involving TNF-alpha and the interaction between IL-6 and Hsp70 are related to poorer muscle endurance in these patients.

Fatores clínicos, funcionais e inflamatórios associados à fadiga muscular e à fadiga autopercebida em idosas da comunidade

“…The comparison of our results with the two studies of Bautmans et al 21,31 was not possible due to the methodological differences. In this study we assessed the knee extensors using an isokinetic protocol of dynamic muscle contractions, while in the studies of Bautmans, a hand dynamometer and a protocol of isometric contraction of wrist's muscles were used 21,31 . The samples of the studies of Bautmans et al 21,31 were varied; in one study, it was composed of community-dwelling older adults without inflammation 21 and, in the other, by institutionalized elderly affected by evident inflammatory process 31 .…”

“…The findings of the literature on the subject are conflicting; Bautmans et al 21 studying a sample of older adults, found negative and significant correlation of self-perceived fatigue with the manual muscle fatigue 21 . However, the same group of researchers, in another study in 2008, investigating a sample of elderly subjects, found no correlation between self-perceived fatigue and manual muscle fatigue 31 . The comparison of our results with the two studies of Bautmans et al 21,31 was not possible due to the methodological differences.…”

“…However, the same group of researchers, in another study in 2008, investigating a sample of elderly subjects, found no correlation between self-perceived fatigue and manual muscle fatigue 31 . The comparison of our results with the two studies of Bautmans et al 21,31 was not possible due to the methodological differences. In this study we assessed the knee extensors using an isokinetic protocol of dynamic muscle contractions, while in the studies of Bautmans, a hand dynamometer and a protocol of isometric contraction of wrist's muscles were used 21,31 .…”

“…The evidences from the literature are controversial. While there are reports of correlation of elevated levels of IL-6 with low levels of manual muscle fatigue 21 , there are evidence of correlation of high concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α with worse resistance to muscle fatigue 31 . However, the interpretation of the results of previous studies and of this study regarding the release of inflammatory mediators should be cautious.…”

“…In this study we assessed the knee extensors using an isokinetic protocol of dynamic muscle contractions, while in the studies of Bautmans, a hand dynamometer and a protocol of isometric contraction of wrist's muscles were used 21,31 . The samples of the studies of Bautmans et al 21,31 were varied; in one study, it was composed of community-dwelling older adults without inflammation 21 and, in the other, by institutionalized elderly affected by evident inflammatory process 31 . In both cases, no information was provided regarding the levels of physical activity; therefore, it may be a confounding factor in comparing the results.…”