Investigation of the effect of changes in muscle strength in gestational ageupon fear of falling and quality of life

Abstract

The aim of this study is the investigation of the effect of changes in muscle strength in gestational age upon fear of falling and quality of life. Materials and methods:This longitudinal, descriptive study included a sample of 37 pregnant women who volunteered to participate. The research data were collected at 20 and 32 weeks of gestation. Data collection instruments included a newly developed questionnaire form, the Tinetti Falls Efficacy Scale, a visual analog scale, and the Turkish language version of the WHO Quality of Life Scale. Upper body flexibility was measured by the back scratch test, while muscle strength was measured by a handgrip dynamometer and balance by the unipedal stance test.Results: It was found that, as pregnancy advanced, pregnant women had an increased fear of falling, as well as elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. Participants suffered significant impairments in their balance, handgrip strength, and quality of life within the physical, psychological, and environmental domains. Conclusion:As pregnancy advances, muscle strength decreases and the fear of falling experienced by pregnant women increases, which significantly impairs the quality of life in the domains of environment, physical, and mental health.

Patellar Tendon Stiffness Is Not Reduced During Pregnancy

“…Apart from tendon properties we did not observe any effect of pregnancy on the knee extensor muscle strength. This is contrary to Atay and Basalan Iz (2015) reporting a 9% reduced handgrip strength at the end of pregnancy compared to the values being measured during the middle of pregnancy. The deviating findings may indicate that the upper and lower extremities undergo different adaptation processes during pregnancy.…”

“…The deviating findings may indicate that the upper and lower extremities undergo different adaptation processes during pregnancy. While loss in handgrip strength has been suggested to be primarily related to a reduced physical activity level (Atay and Basalan Iz, 2015) we may argue that leg strength has been maintained due to the pregnancy induced increase in body mass.…”

Vastus Lateralis Architecture Changes During Pregnancy – A Longitudinal Study

“…To our knowledge, no study has yet investigated lower limb muscles during pregnancy. A study on upper limb muscles has observed a 9% decline in handgrip strength in the late stage of pregnancy compared to the middle stage of pregnancy (Atay and Basalan Iz, 2015). It is possible that both the upper and lower body are subjected to different adaptation processes during pregnancy.…”

“…To our knowledge, there are only two studies investigating changes in strength of the upper and lower extremities with pregnancy. One study investigated changes in the hand grip strength in pregnant women, detecting a 9% loss in strength in the late stage of pregnancy compared to the middle stage of pregnancy (Atay and Basalan Iz, 2015). Another study conducted measurements of the lower and upper body strength before pregnancy and 6 weeks postpartum (Treuth et al, 2005).…”

“…The described loss in muscle strength in pregnant women may be related to the progressive increase in fat mass (Taggart et al, 1967). An increase in fat mass is known to reduce the desire for spontaneous physical activity (Brown, 2008), which, in turn, leads to muscle weakness (Atay and Basalan Iz, 2015).…”