title: Is knee extension strength a better predictor of functional performance than handgrip strength among older adults in three different settings?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The first purpose was to examine whether knee extension strength is a better predictor of functional performance than handgrip strength among older adults (≥60 years). The second purpose was to identify functionally relevant cut-off values for muscle strength.
  
  
  METHODS
  770 community-dwelling older adults, 104 older adults living in assisted living facilities and 73 nursing home residents were included. Static strength, expressed in kg/kg body weight (BW), was measured using two field tests: handgrip (GRIP/BW) and knee extension (KNEE/BW) test. Functional performance was assessed with 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD, N=947) and modified Physical Performance Test (mPPT, N=152).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both GRIP/BW and KNEE/BW were positively correlated with functional performance in all settings (p<0.05). In the community and nursing homes, both strength variables equally contributed to functional performance. In assisted living facilities, KNEE/BW (R(2)6MWD=0.39 and R2mPPT=0.35) was clearly a better predictor of functional performance than GRIP/BW (R(2)6MWD=0.15 and R2mPPT=0.12). GRIP/BW had no added value to KNEE/BW in order to explain the variance in functional performance. Functionally relevant cut-off values for static strength, for men and women respectively, were set at 0.40 and 0.31 for KNEE/BW and at 0.43 and 0.31 for GRIP/BW.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Handgrip and knee extension strength are both important predictors of functional performance in older adults. In assisted living facilities only, knee extension strength was clearly more predictive than handgrip strength. Both cut-off values appear to be highly sensitive to screen for functionally relevant muscle weakness in older adults.
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Sports and Health Research Group, Heverlee, Belgium. Electronic address: sofie.martien@faber.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Sofie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martien
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Sports and Health Research Group, Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delecluse
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Sports and Health Research Group, Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boen
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Sports and Health Research Group, Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seghers
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Sports and Health Research Group, Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pelssers
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Sports and Health Research Group, Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ann-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Van Hoecke
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, Physical Activity, Sports and Health Research Group, Heverlee, Belgium.
authors.forename: Evelien
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Roie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Frail older adults; Muscle strength; Reference values; Sarcopenia