Vertical Jump Tests: A Safe Instrument to Improve the Accuracy of the Functional Capacity Assessment in Robust Older Women

Abstract

Age-related decreases in muscle function lead to disabilities and are associated with negative health outcomes in older people. Although several physical tests can be used to assess physical performance, muscle strength, and power, their interpretation can be hampered by the ceiling effect of some of them. The aim of this study was to assess whether vertical jump tests are safe in terms of physical integrity and whether they are useful in assessing physical performance in forty-one robust older women. The investigation entailed an assessment of anthropometric characteristics, physical functioning tests (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), sit-to-up 5 times and sit-to-up 30 s, gait speed, time-up-to-go test (TUGT)), and tests evaluating muscle strength and power (handgrip, lower limb isokinetic tests, and vertical jumping tests). Significant negative correlations were found between vertical jumping tests and BMI, body fat percentage, sit-to-up 5 times and TUGT. In addition, significant positive correlations were observed between vertical jumping tests and SPPB, gait speed, handgrip, and concentric isokinetic tests of knee muscles. No adverse events in volunteers’ physical integrity were reported during and after the performance of all physical tests. Thus, the study results showed that vertical jumping tests are safe and accurate for assessing physical performance and are useful for monitoring age-related loss of muscle performance in robust older women.

Older Women Who Practiced Physical Exercises before the COVID-19 Pandemic Present Metabolic Alterations and Worsened Functional Physical Capacity after One Year of Social Isolation

“…Although we did not observe a significant association between circulating creatinine levels and this functional physical test, body weight values were positively correlated with TUGT, demonstrating that heavier volunteers performed worse on the TUGT, both pre- and post-COVID-19-pandemic period. Similar results have been described in the literature [ 11 , 62 ], demonstrating an association between worse strength and balance performance of lower limbs in older adults and increased weight and a higher percentage of body fat. In agreement with the literature, these associations are the result of the negative influence of adipose tissue on the reduction in neuromuscular function in the older adult population [ 63 , 64 ].…”

“…Corroborating these data, our group has reported that older women who regularly practiced physical exercises showed improvements in several physical, metabolic, immunological, and redox indices parameters as compared to groups of inactive or sedentary older women [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that the long-standing regular practice of combined-exercise training can maintain functional physical capacity in the older adult population [ 11 ], maintaining their capacity to perform the activities of daily living, which, according to the literature, can improve physical and mental health, socioeconomic independence, and social interactions in this population [ 12 ].…”

Functionality, muscular strength and cardiorespiratory capacity in the elderly: relationships between functional and physical tests according to sex and age

“…The CMJ test ( Bosco et al, 1982 ) was used to assess lower body power. This type of test can be performed safely, without falls or accidents occurring during the test ( Santos et al, 2022 ). The force platform (MuscleLab, Stathelle, Norway) was used to measure take-off height, power, and contact time (CT).…”

“…Studies analyzing relationships between physical and functional tests in an elderly population have previously been published ( Singh et al, 2014 ; Orssatto et al, 2020 ; Parsons et al, 2020 ; Staples et al, 2020 ; Santos et al, 2022 ; Abreu et al, 2023 ). However, few studies differentiate between sexes and age ranges ( Buehring et al, 2015 ; Okabe et al, 2021 ; Monjo et al, 2023 ).…”

Exercise Evaluation and Prescription in Older Adults

“…In the cross-sectional studies, Huang et al [10], Nieto-Guisado et al [11], and Souza et al [12] demonstrated the close relationship between physical function, fear/risk of falling, proprioception, and postural control, reinforcing the importance of this type of screen as a means of preventing adverse outcomes associated with falls. Additionally, Santos et al demonstrated the effectiveness of the jump test in assessing muscle strength and power [13], two main factors in developing older adults' physical autonomy. Loss of type II muscle fibers is a primary negative outcome related to health status with aging; thus, the relationship between these losses and the high incidence of falls deserves special mention.…”