Lower Limb Strength Profile in Elderly with Different Pathologies: Comparisons with Healthy Subjects

Abstract

Sarcopenia and muscle strength reduction are a frequent disorder in non-communicable chronic diseases. The aims of this study are: a) to verify if the absolute and relative to body weight muscle strength of lower limb is affected by the presence of pathology; b) to verify if the trends are different among knee and ankles joints. One-hundred and forty-five elderly were recruited (16 liver transplant recipients, 48 kidney transplant recipients, 52 elderly with obesity, 30 healthy elderly). Muscular strength of lower limb was evaluated. Evaluation protocol included maximal isometric knee extension, maximal isokinetic knee extension and flexion, maximal isokinetic ankle (both right and left) extension and flexion. A statistically significant interaction between measurement and group membership was found for absolute strength measure (F(4.23, 170.56) = 3.316, p = 0.011, partial η2 (η2p) = 0.076), and relative strength measure(F(4.44, 174.72) = 16.407, p < 0.01, partial η2 (η2p) = 0.294). Elderly patients living with kidney transplants showed the lower level of absolute muscular strength, while relative muscular strength is mainly lacking in the elderly with obesity. The strength profile of elderly subjects is affected by obesity, liver transplantation, and kidney transplantation.

Knee Extension Strength Measures Indicating Probable Sarcopenia Is Associated with Health-Related Outcomes and a Strong Predictor of 1-Year Mortality in Patients Following Hip Fracture Surgery

“…Further, patients in the present study presented KES measures, considerably lower than healthy elderly [ 45 ], and that according to cut-points suggested by Manini et al [ 46 ], experience a moderate to high risk, respectively, of future mobility limitations.…”

Effects of Multidomain Interventions on Sarcopenia

“…Conversely, the variability in improvements in HGS suggests a less uniform response. This could arise from several factors, including larger muscle mass volume, better response to interventions ( 27 ), or more pronounced age-related declines in lower limb muscle compared to the upper body ( 28 ). Moreover, lower limbs are extensively involved in weight-bearing and functional activities, and balance and mobility exercises often prioritize the lower body ( 29 ).…”

Kronik Bel Ağrılı Hastalarda Obezitenin Fiziksel Performans Üzerine Etkisi

“…Literatürde bu yönlü bir çalışmaya rastlanmamıştır ve verilerimizin bu bakımdan özgün olduğu düşüncesindeyiz. Yaşlı obez bireylerde sağlıklı gruba göre alt ekstremite kas kuvveti daha düşüktür [55]. Ayrıca süreli kalk yürü testi ve fonksiyonel uzanma testlerinin ayak bileği dorsifleksörleri kas gücü ile ilişkisi olduğu tespit edilmiştir [56].…”