title: Association of Grip and Knee Extension Strength with Walking Speed of Older Women Receiving Home-care Physical Therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Decreased muscle strength and limited physical performance are key elements of frailty and sarcopenia. The relative value of grip and knee extension strength for explaining walking performance has not been clearly established.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Compare the ability of grip and knee extension strength to explain gait speed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective use of cross-sectionally obtained data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients' homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four ambulatory women patients at least 65 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Grip and knee extension forces obtained bilaterally with dynamometers and comfortable gait speed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knee extension forces were, but grip strength forces were not, correlated significantly with gait speed. Knee extension forces were able, but grip strength forces were not able, to satisfactorily identify patients with gait speeds <.40 m/sec.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For women receiving therapy in a home-care setting, physical performance as reflected by gait speed is better explained by knee extension strength than by grip strength.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Campbell University, 191 Main Street, Buies Creek, North Carolina 27506, USA. Phone: +1 (910) 814-4951; Fax: +1 (910) 814 4951; e-mail: bohannon@campbell.edu.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Bohannon