title: Relationship between lower-limb muscle strength and functional independence among elderly people according to frailty criteria: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Muscle strength and functional independence are considered to be determinants of frailty levels among elderly people. The aim here was to compare lower-limb muscle strength (LLMS) with functional independence in relation to sex, age and number of frailty criteria, and to ascertain the influence of these variables on elderly outpatients' independence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative cross-sectional study, in a tertiary hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted on 150 elderly outpatients of both sexes who were in a cognitive condition allowing oral communication, between October 2005 and October 2007. The following instruments were used: five-times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) and Lawton's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL). Descriptive, comparative, multivariate, univariate and Cronbach alpha analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean time taken in the FTSST was 21.7 seconds; the mean score for FIM was 82.2 and for IADL was 21.2; 44.7% of the subjects presented 1-2 frailty criteria and 55.3% > 3 criteria. There was a significant association between LLMS and functional independence in relation to the number of frailty criteria, without homogeneity regarding sex and age. Functional independence showed significant influence from sex and LLMS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elderly individuals with 1 or 2 frailty criteria presented greater independence in all FTSST scores. The subjects with higher LLMS presented better functional independence.
authors: Municipal Health Department, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Fernanda Sotello
authors: FS
authors: Batista
authors: Department of Gerontology, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Grace Angélica de Oliveira
authors: GA
authors: Gomes
authors: School of Nursing, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Maria José
authors: MJ
authors: D'Elboux
authors: School of Nursing, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Fernanda Aparecida
authors: FA
authors: Cintra
authors: Department of Education, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Anita Liberalesso
authors: AL
authors: Neri
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Maria Elena
authors: ME
authors: Guariento
authors: Department of Dentistry, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Maria da Luz
authors: Mda L
authors: Rosário de Souza
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors