journal articles
ASSOCIATION OF GRIP AND KNEE EXTENSION STRENGTH WITH WALKING SPEED OF OLDER WOMEN RECEIVING HOME-CARE PHYSICAL THERAPY
R.W. Bohannon
J Frailty Aging 2015;4(4):181-183
Background: Decreased muscle strength and limited physical performance are key elements of frailty and sarcopenia. The relative value of grip and knee extension strength for explaining walking performance has not been clearly established. Objectives: Compare the ability of grip and knee extension strength to explain gait speed. Design: Retrospective use of cross-sectionally obtained data. Setting: Patients’ homes. Participants: Forty-four ambulatory women patients at least 65 years of age. Measurements: Grip and knee extension forces obtained bilaterally with dynamometers and comfortable gait speed. Results: Knee extension forces were, but grip strength forces were not, correlated significantly with gait speed. Knee extension forces were able, but grip strength forces were not able, to satisfactorily identify patients with gait speeds < .40 m/sec. Conclusions: For women receiving therapy in a home-care setting, physical performance as reflected by gait speed is better explained by knee extension strength than by grip strength.
CITATION:
R.W. Bohannon (2015): Association of Grip and Knee Extension Strength with Walking Speed of Older Women Receiving Home-care Physical Therapy. The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). http://dx.doi.org/10.14283/jfa.2015.74