Lower-Extremity Torque Capacity and Physical Function in Mobility-Limited Older Adults

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-3-2019

Publication Title

Journal of Nutritional Healthy & Aging

DOI

10.1007/s12603-019-1232-8

ISSN

1760-4788

Abstract

Objectives

Skeletal muscle weakness and an increase in fatigability independently contribute to age-related functional decline. The objective of this study was to examine the combined contribution of these deficiencies (i.e., torque capacity) to physical function, and then to assess the functional implications of progressive resistance training (PRT) mediated-torque capacity improvements in mobility-limited older adults.

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Setting

Exercise laboratory on the Health Sciences campus of an urban university.

Participants

Seventy mobility-limited (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) ≤9) older adults (~79 yrs).

Intervention

Progressive resistance training or home-based flexibility 3 days/week for 12 weeks.

Measurements

Torque capacity was defined as the sum of peak torques from an isokinetic knee extension fatigue test. Relationships between torque capacity and performance-based and patient-reported functional measures before and after PRT were examined using partial correlations adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index.

Results

Torque capacity explained (P

Conclusion

Skeletal muscle torque capacity, a composite of strength and fatigue, may be a proximal determinant of physical function in mobility-limited older individuals. To more closely replicate the musculoskeletal demands of real-life tasks, future studies are encouraged to consider the combined interaction of distinct skeletal muscle faculties to overall functional ability in older adults.

Comments

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Copyright

Copyright belongs to Springer. Information regarding the dissemination and usage of journal articles can be accessed through the following link.

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