The relationship between lower extremity strength and power to everday walking behaviors in older adults with functional limitations.
OBJECTIVE
While lower extremity strength and power show a relationship to laboratory measures of walking in older adults, the relationship of strength and power to walking behaviors in a community setting is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between lower extremity strength, peak power, power at a low relative intensity, and power at a high relative intensity to everyday walking behaviors in older adults.


METHODS
Thirty community-dwelling older adults (mean age=77.3+7.0, 25 females, 5 males) took part in the study. Lower extremity strength and power were measured with a pneumatic resistance leg press. An accelerometer activity monitor was used to measure walking behaviors across 6 days with total steps, distance, and walking speed used as outcome measures.


RESULTS
Peak power (R2=0.16) was significantly related to total steps. Strength (R2=0.23), peak power (R2=0.44), power at low relative intensity (R2=0.41), and power at high relative intensity (R2=0.34) were significantly related to distance. Strength (R2=0.39), peak power (R2=0.50), power at low relative intensity (R2=0.38), and power at high relative intensity (R2=0.48) were significantly related to walking speed.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower extremity strength, peak power, power at a low relative intensity, and power at a high relative intensity are all related to walking behaviors in older adults with peak power having the strongest relationship.
Puthoff
Michael L
ML
St. Ambrose University, Physical Therapy Department, Davenport, IA 52803, USA. puthoffmichaell@sau.edu
Janz
Kathleen F
KF
Nielson
David
D
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*