[Purpose] To determine the relationships of the quadriceps rate of torque development and the time to peak torque with the physical function of the elderly. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-one subjects participated in this study. Quadriceps strength was measured using isometric and isokinetic torque tests. Time to peak torque and rate of torque development were calculated from the torque time curve of the isokinetic and isometric torque tests, respectively. Physical activities were measured using 4 physical activity tests. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationships among the variables. [Results] The time to peak torque showed significant correlations with all measures of physical activity tests. Rate of torque development showed significant correlation with the timed stair-climbing test. Isometric and isokinetic torques had no significant correlations with any of the physical activity tests. [Conclusion] Time to maximum torque and the rate of torque development might be more important than peak torque in determining the physical function of the elderly.

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Aims: To report estimates of the reliability and agreement of a new method for measuring the femoral Neck-shaft angle in the Jordanian population. The neck-shaft angle is an important anatomical indicator in orthopedics of the hip. While there are different approaches to measuring the neck-shaft angle in the literature, there is no agreement on the best technique used for measurement. CT scout view was used in this study to provide a promising alternative. Study Design: Observational reliability and agreement study. Places and Duration of the Study: Department of physiotherapy, school of rehabilitation science, University of Jordan and University of Jordan Hospital between March 2014 and October 2015. Methodology: Two independent raters calculated the neck-shaft angle on each hip of 50 pelvic CT scout images of healthy adults to determine inter-rater reliability. One rater performed the measurement twice to determine the intra-rater reliability. Intra-class correlation coefficients were used to examine relative reliability. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and 95% minimal detectable change (MDC) were calculated to examine absolute reliability.  Results: The mean value of all angle measurements was 131.3. Intra-class correlation coefficients were 0.726 and 0.63 for inter and intra-rater measurements respectively. SEM and MDC for inter-rater measurements were 2.69 and 7.46 respectively. For intra-rater measurements, they were 2.84 and 7.86 respectively. Conclusion: The new method proposed in this study for measuring the neck-shaft angle showed good reliability and small measurement error.

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[Purpose] Literature has revealed age-related changes in body regional tissues in the form of reduced muscle size and increased adipose tissue. There is also a decline in the performance of physical function with aging. The aim of this study is to examine the partial and part correlations between physical performance and thigh tissue composition among elderly adults. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two elderly participants enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Mid-thigh CT images were used to determine the cross-sectional area of the muscular and adipose tissues. Principal component score of physical function was calculated from 5 performance based physical function tests using principal component analysis. Partial and part correlation statistics were used to explore the association between physical performance and tissue composition. [Results] There were significant, moderate negative partial and part associations between the principal component score and cross-sectional area of thigh muscles, quadriceps muscle and quadriceps normal density muscle. Significant, moderate positive partial and part correlations were found between intramuscular adipose tissue and the principal component score. [Conclusion] Elderly adults’ performance of physical function is associated with regional tissue composition.