Strength and mobility of older adults living in urban, rural, and FELDA settlements in Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction. The aim of this study was to compare strength and mobility of older adults living in Malaysia and to determine whether strength is correlated with mobility. Methods. This cross-sectional study recruited adults aged ≥60 years old living in urban, rural, and Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) settlements in Malaysia. Upper limb strength (using a handgrip dynamometer), lower limb strength (using the 30-second chair stand test), and mobility (using the timed up and go test) were evaluated for all participants.Results. A total of 576 older adults living in urban (n=192), rural (n=101), and FELDA (n=283) settlements were included. Mobility was correlated with upper limb strength in women living in urban settlements (r= -0.408, p=0.001), men living in rural settlements (r= -0.599, p=0.003), and men living in FELDA settlements (r= -0.281, p=0.006). Mobility was correlated with lower limb strength in women (r= -0.686, p<0.001) and men (r= -0.415, p=0.035) living in urban settlements, and women (r= -0.246, p=0.001) and men (r= -0.281, p=0.006) living in FELDA settlements. Conclusion.It is important to establish public policies for interventional strategies for older persons at risk of functional decline specific to the uniqueness of the settlement.

Population-specific equations of age-related maximum handgrip force: a comprehensive review

“…Five publications concerned Iran ( Abiri, Dehghani & Vafa, 2020 ; Kheyruri et al, 2021 ; Mohammadian et al, 2014 ; Moslehi et al, 2013 ; Rostamzadeh, Saremi & Bradtmiller, 2020 ), Italy ( Bergamin et al, 2015 ; Campa et al, 2021 ; Montalcini et al, 2013 ; Sarti et al, 2013 ; Zaccagni et al, 2020 ), Korea ( Kim et al, 2021 ; Lee & Lee, 2013 ; Shim et al, 2013 ; Yoo, Choi & Ha, 2017 ; Sin et al, 2009 ) and the Netherlands ( Leenders et al, 2013 ; de Vreede et al, 2005 ; Ling et al, 2012 ; Sialino et al, 2019 ; Voorbij & Steenbekkers, 2001 ) respectively. Next came Malaysia ( Lam et al, 2016 ; Ing et al, 2018 ; Justine, Nawawi & Ishak, 2020 ; Moy, Chang & Kee, 2011 ), Poland ( Fiutko, 1987 ; Kociuba et al, 2019 ; Kopiczko, Gryko & Łopuszańska-Dawid, 2018 ; Roman-Liu, Tomasz Tokarski & Mazur-Rózycka, 2021 ) and Taiwan ( Kao et al, 2016 ; Lin et al, 2014 ; Su et al, 1994 ; Wu et al, 2009 ) with four publications each, while Belgium ( De Smet, Tirez & Stappaerts, 1998 ; De Dobbeleer et al, 2019 ; Ridgway et al, 2011 ), Sweden ( Peolsson, Hedlund & Oberg, 2001 ; Ribom et al, 2010 ; Veen et al, 2021 ), Hong Kong ( Yu et al, 2017 ; Tsang, 2005 ; Woo et al, 2014 ), Nigeria ( Abaraogu et al, 2017 ; Adedoyin et al, 2009 ; Mgbemena et al, 2019 ) and Portugal ( Bernardes et al, 2020 ; Marques et al, 2011 ; Mendes et al, 2017 ) followed with three publications on maximum handgrip force. Data for handgrip force in countries such as Canada ( Desro...…”