Increased muscle strength improves managing in activities of daily living in fall-prone community-dwelling older women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this longitudinal study was to describe whether an increase in knee extension strength is associated with improvements in managing in activities of daily living (ADL) and in self-perceived physical condition in fall-prone community-dwelling older women.


METHODS
Subjects (n=417) aged ≥ 65 years belonged either to intervention or control groups in a 12-month randomized controlled fall prevention trial. Isometric muscle strength of knee extension was measured with an adjustable dynamometer chair. Managing in activities of daily living was measured with structured questions about abilities to climb stairs, walk at least 400 meters, toilet, bath, go to the sauna, do light or heavy housework, and carry heavy loads. A question of self-perceived physical condition was also asked.


RESULTS
Positive associations were found between increased knee extension strength and an increase in walking at least 400 meters (p<0.001), carrying heavy loads (p=0.004), and climbing stairs (p=0.007), and in self perceived physical condition (p=0.005) over a 12- month follow-up. In addition, low age, non-use of a walking aid, low number of prescribed medications, and good functional balance at baseline were associated with an increase in performance of these ADL functions.


CONCLUSIONS
An increase in knee extension strength during the 12-month follow-up was associated with improvement in some ADL functions and improvement in self-perceived physical condition during the same period in fall-prone community-dwelling women.
Vaapio
Sari
S
Institute of Clinical Medicine, Family Medicine, Lemminkäisenkatu 1, University of Turku, Finland. sasiva@utu.fi
Salminen
Marika
M
Vahlberg
Tero
T
Kivelä
Sirkka-Liisa
SL
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength