title: Poor correlation between handgrip strength and isokinetic performance of knee flexor and extensor muscles in community-dwelling elderly women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the correlation between handgrip strength and performance of knee flexor and extensor muscles determined using an isokinetic dynamometer in community-dwelling elderly women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study. Sample selection for the study was made by convenience, and 221 (71.07 ± 4.93 years) community-dwelling elderly women were included. Knee flexor and extensor muscle performance was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer Biodex System 3 Pro. The isokinetic variables chosen for analysis were peak torque, peak torque/bodyweight, total work/bodyweight, total work, average power, and agonist/antagonist ratio at the angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s. Assessment of handgrip strength was carried out using the Jamar dynamometer. Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated to identify intervariable correlations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only knee flexor peak torque (60°/s) and average power (60°/s), and knee extensor peak torque (180°/s) and total work (180°/s) were significantly (P < 0.05), yet poorly, correlated with handgrip strength (r < 0.30).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of analyses did not show any correlation between variables assessed by isokinetic dynamometer and handgrip dynamometer. Caution is required when generalizing handgrip strength as a predictor of global muscle strength in community-dwelling elderly women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Post Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Physical Education, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte/MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Diogo Carvalho
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Felicio
authors.forename: Daniele Sirineu
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Alexandra Miranda
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Assumpção
authors.forename: Fabianna Resende
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: de Jesus-Moraleida
authors.forename: Barbara Zille
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: de Queiroz
authors.forename: Juscelio Pereira
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Naysa Maciel
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: de Brito Rosa
authors.forename: João Marcos Domingues
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Leani Souza Máximo
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: elderly; handgrip; isokinetic muscle performance; muscle strength; sarcopenia