Leg-Extension Strength and Chair-Rise Performance in Elderly Women with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

The lower extremity performance in elderly female patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease (PD; n = 12) and controls (n = 16) was compared. Isometric dynamometry and force-plate measurements were used. PD patients had lower (p < .05) bilateral (BL) maximal isometric leg-extension force (MF), BL isometric MF relative to body mass, and maximal rate of isometric force development than control participants. BL strength deficit was greater (p < .05) in PD patients than in controls. A significantly longer chair-rise time and lower maximal rate of vertical-ground-reaction-force development while rising from a chair was found in PD patients than in controls. These findings suggest that elderly women with PD have lowered voluntary isometric force-generation capacity of the leg-extensor muscles. Reduced BL leg-extension strength might contribute to the difficulty of individuals with PD to rise from a chair.

Lower extremity isokinetic muscle strength in patients with Parkinson’s disease

“…8,13 In contrast to the isokinetic evaluations described, some studies have evaluated quantitative isotonic and isometric muscle strength. 7,14,15 To date, no reported study has evaluated the isokinetic strength of the hip, knee, and ankle joints together. Some limited studies, however, have evaluated muscle groups at different isokinetic velocities in the lower extremities, 13 as well as the correlation between muscle strength and clinical status, and muscle strength and falls, 9 among patients with PD.…”

The Effects of Tai Chi Based Exercise on Dynamic Postural Control of Parkinson's Disease Patients while Initiating Gait

“…Previous studies [15][16][17][18] have demonstrated that the strength of the lower extremity muscles of PD patients and regular exercise are associated with their capacity to perform of functional tasks, such as walking and sit-to-stand. They emphasized the importance of appropriate intervention for people with PD to improve and/or maintain functional levels.…”

Quantitative Bewegungsanalyse der Rumpfmotorik von Parkinsonpatienten mittels dreidimensionaler Kinematik und Oberflächenelektromyografie

“…Diese erhöhte Bewegungsvariabilität der PD-Patienten kann auch bei der Gangzyklusdauer und der Schrittvariabilität nachgewiesen werden und wird mit der Störung des automatisierten Schrittlokomotors im Zentralnervensystem bei Parkinsonpatienten in Zusammenhang gebracht [15][16][17]. Dabei scheint ein Defizit der zentral gesteuerten Muskelaktivierungsprogramme (Muskel-Timing) vorzuliegen [18][19][20][21]. Bezüglich der Muskelschwäche mit reduzierter Kraftproduktion liegen Studien bei Parkinsonpatienten vor [13,21] …”

“…Dabei scheint ein Defizit der zentral gesteuerten Muskelaktivierungsprogramme (Muskel-Timing) vorzuliegen [18][19][20][21]. Bezüglich der Muskelschwäche mit reduzierter Kraftproduktion liegen Studien bei Parkinsonpatienten vor [13,21] …”