title: A comparison of the relationship of 14 performance-based measures with frailty in older women.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine which performance measures of physical function are most closely related to frailty and whether physical function is different across levels of frailty. Fifty-three community-dwelling Greek women (63-100 years) participated in this study. Participants were divided into 3 tertiles based on level of frailty as calculated from a frailty index (FI): lowest FI group (<0.19 FI), intermediate FI group (0.19-0.36 FI), and highest FI group (>0.36 FI). Performance measures tested were handgrip and knee extension muscle strength and fatigue, upper and lower body muscular endurance, walking performance, agility, and dynamic balance. The greatest proportion of variance in the FI was explained by combining all performance-based measures of physical function. The performance measures that were most closely related to frailty yet different across levels of frailty were ambulatory mobility, lower body muscular endurance, and nondominant handgrip strength. Walking at a preferred pace had the strongest relationship to frailty rather than walking at maximal pace. Grip strength of the nondominant hand had a stronger correlation with frailty compared with the dominant hand. The FI was a better predictor of physical function than chronological age. The decline in physical function accelerated after the intermediate FI tertile. Definitions of frailty need to combine performance-based measures that can identify impairments in various domains of physical function. The assessment protocols of these measures are important.
authors: School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada. otheou@alumni.uwo.ca
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Theou
authors: Gareth R
authors: GR
authors: Jones
authors: Jennifer M
authors: JM
authors: Jakobi
authors: Arnold
authors: A
authors: Mitnitski
authors: Anthony A
authors: AA
authors: Vandervoort
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006115:Greece; D018737:Hand Strength; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee; D008875:Middle Aged; D018763:Muscle Fatigue; D053580:Muscle Strength; D004856:Postural Balance; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012423:Rural Health; D016138:Walking