GRIP STRENGTH AND GAIT SPEED OF OLDER WOMEN RECEIVING PHYSICAL THERAPY IN A HOME-CARE SETTING

2014 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
R.W. BOHANNON
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Home Care ◽  
New England ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Usual Gait Speed

Grip strength and gait speed have both been recommended as “vital signs” for older adults. I,therefore, sought to determine the extent to which grip strength and comfortable gait speed were limited andrelated in a sample of older women home-care patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted using archivedinitial therapy records of 33 older women (mean age = 80.7 years) residing in their homes in New England(USA). Demographics, bilateral grip strength and usual gait speed data were extracted from the records. Best gripstrength was 80.1% of its reference norm. Usual gait speed was 38.4% of its reference norm. Significantly morepatients were below reference norm for gait speed. Both measures were significantly less than functionalstandards as well. The measures were not correlated significantly. Grip strength and gait speed are sensitive tolimitations in older women home-care patients, but not equally so.

ASSOCIATION OF GRIP AND KNEE EXTENSION STRENGTH WITH WALKING SPEED OF OLDER WOMEN RECEIVING HOME-CARE PHYSICAL THERAPY

2015 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
R.W. BOHANNON
Keyword(s):  
Home Care ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Women Patients ◽  
Knee Extension Strength ◽  
Relative Value ◽  
Walking Performance

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. Objectives: Compare the ability of grip and knee extension strength to explain gait speed. Design: Retrospective use of cross-sectionally obtained data. Setting: Patients’ homes. Participants:Forty-four ambulatory women patients at least 65 years of age. Measurements: 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.

scholarly journals Multidimensional Sleep Health and Physical Functioning in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 428-428
Author(s):  
Caitlan Tighe ◽  
Ryan Brindle ◽  
Sarah Stahl ◽  
Meredith Wallace ◽  
Adam Bramoweth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
The United States ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Sleep Health ◽  
Lower Extremity Strength ◽  
Sleep Parameters

Abstract Prior studies link specific sleep parameters to physical functioning in older adults. Recent work suggests the utility of examining sleep health from a multidimensional perspective, enabling consideration of an individual’s experience across multiple different sleep parameters (e.g., quality, duration, timing). We examined the associations of multidimensional sleep health with objective, performance-based measures of physical functioning in older adults. We conducted a secondary analysis of 158 adults (Mage=71.8 years; 51.9% female) who participated in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) 2 and MIDUS Refresher studies. We used data from daily diaries, wrist actigraphy, and self-report measures to derive a composite multidimensional sleep health score ranging from 0-6, with higher scores indicating better sleep health. Physical function was assessed using gait speed during a 50-foot timed walk, lower extremity strength as measured by a chair stand test, and grip strength assessed with dynamometers. We used hierarchical regression to examine the associations between sleep health and gait speed, lower extremity strength, and grip strength. Age, sex, race, education, depression symptoms, medical comorbidity, and body mass index were covariates in each model. In adjusted analyses, better multidimensional sleep health was significantly associated with faster gait speed (B=.03, p=.01). Multidimensional sleep health was not significantly associated with lower limb strength (B=-.12, p=.89) or grip strength (B=.45, p=.40). Gait speed is a key indicator of functional capacity as well as morbidity and mortality in older adults. Multidimensional sleep health may be a therapeutic target for improving physical functioning and health in older adults.

scholarly journals Urban-rural differences in the prevalence of muscle weakness and slow gait speed: A cross-sectional analysis from the NHANES (2001-2002 and 2011-2014)

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
J.J. Aziz ◽  
K.F. Reid ◽  
J.A. Batsis ◽  
R.A. Fielding
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Muscle Weakness ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Comorbidity Burden ◽  
Urban Rural

Background: Older adults living in rural areas suffer from health inequities compared to their urban counterparts. These include comorbidity burden, poor diet, and physical inactivity, which are also risk factors for sarcopenia, for which muscle weakness and slow gait speed are domains. To date, no study has examined urban-rural differences in the prevalence of muscle weakness and slow gait speed in older adults living in the United States. Objective: To compare the prevalence of grip strength weakness and slow gait speed between urban and rural older adults living in the United States. Design: A cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of two cohorts from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), using gait speed or grip strength data, and urban-rural residency, dietary, examination, questionnaire and demographic data. Participants: 2,923 adults (≥ 60 yrs.). Measures: Grip weakness was defined as either, an absolute grip strength of <35 kg. and <20 kg. or grip strength divided by body mass index (GripBMI) of <1.05 and <0.79 for men and women, respectively. Slow gait speed was defined as a usual gait speed of ≤0.8m/s. Results: The prevalence of GripBMI weakness was significantly higher in urban compared to rural participants (27.4% vs. 19.2%; p=0.001), whereas their absolute grip strength was lower (31.75(±0.45) vs. 33.73(±0.48)). No urban-rural differences in gait speed were observed. Conclusions: Older adults residing in urban regions of the United States were weaker compared to their rural counterparts. This report is the first to describe urban-rural differences in handgrip strength and slow gait speed in older adults living in the United States.

IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMMUNITY WALKING PROGRAM (WALK ON!) FOR FUNCTIONALLY-LIMITED OLDER ADULTS

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
B.J. Nicklas ◽  
E.A. Chmelo ◽  
J. Sheedy ◽  
J.B. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Mobility Limitations ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Walking Program ◽  
Usual Gait Speed

Background: Walking interventions improve physical function, reduce fall risk, and prevent mobility disability—even in those with compromised walking ability. However, most prior studies have been conducted in controlled research settings, with no dissemination of an evidence-based walking program for older adults who have mobility limitations and/or are socially isolated. Objectives: This study reports data on the feasibility and acceptability of a community-based walking program (Walk On!) for older adults who are functionally limited, and assesses changes in physical function among attendees. The program sessions focused on long-distance walking, and took place for one-hour, for two days/week, and for 12 weeks at a time. Design: Pilot implementation study. Setting: Local church in Winston-Salem, NC. Participants: 49 program participants; Measurements: Physical function battery and satisfaction survey data, as well as formative evaluation data from six attendees of a focus group, are reported. Results: The majority of the participants were >75 years (71%), female (65%), and presented with low levels of physical function (usual gait speed=0.79±0.16; 30.6% used an assistive device). Satisfaction with the program was high (100% would recommend it to others) and focus group results were overwhelmingly positive. Mean attendance to scheduled sessions was 77%±21%, and 63% of participants attended at least 75% of scheduled sessions (n=8 attended 100%). On average, participants improved their 6-min walk distance by 8.9%, their SPPB score by 15.4%, their timed-up-go time by 9.0%, and their usual gait speed by 11.4%. Conclusion: The results of the initial evaluation of Walk On! show high feasibility and acceptability of the program, as well as efficacy for improving physical function. Further research is needed to evaluate a delivery method for wider implementation of the program and to definitively test its effectiveness for improving function and other health benefits.

scholarly journals Exercise Assessment and Prescription in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes in the Private and Home Care Setting: Clinical Recommendations From AXXON (Belgian Physical Therapy Association)

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 597-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Hansen ◽  
Stefaan Peeters ◽  
Bruno Zwaenepoel ◽  
Dirk Verleyen ◽  
Carla Wittebrood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Clinical Recommendations

scholarly journals Comparison of difficulty with activities of daily living in elderly adults undergoing hemodialysis and community-dwelling individuals: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiki Kutsuna ◽  
Yusuke Isobe ◽  
Takaaki Watanabe ◽  
Yusuke Matsunaga ◽  
Satomi Kusaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Function ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Test Time ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elderly Adults ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Difficulty Score ◽  
Usual Gait Speed

Abstract Background Elderly adults undergoing hemodialysis (HD) have multiple comorbidities, physical frailty, and functional dependence with activities of daily living (ADL). ADL difficulty is an early predictor of ADL dependency in community-dwelling elderly adults. However, the characteristics of ADL difficulty in patients undergoing HD have not yet been reported. The present study aimed to examine the current status and characteristics of physical function and ADL difficulty in ambulatory elderly patients undergoing HD. Methods In all, 136 elderly outpatients undergoing HD and 40 community-dwelling controls participated in the present study. The characteristics, physical function (SARC-F score, grip strength, five-times sit-to-stand test time, usual gait speed, maximum gait speed, and short physical performance battery score), and scores from the ADL difficulty questionnaires [difficulty related to upper limb (U/L) and lower limb (L/L) functions] were compared between the HD and control groups. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine whether the characteristics of physical function were able to discriminate ADL difficulty in the HD group. Results The HD group had a significantly greater SARC-F score, lower grip strength, longer five-times sit-to-stand test time, slower usual gait speed, slower maximum gait speed, lower short physical performance battery score, and lower U/L and L/L ADL difficulty scores compared to the control group (all P < 0.001). The distribution of U/L and L/L ADL difficulty scores showed a wider variation in the HD group than in the control group. The U/L ADL difficulty score was independently associated with the SARC-F score (β = −0.52, P < 0.001) and grip strength (β = 0.21, P = 0.02). The L/L ADL difficulty score was independently associated with the SARC-F score (β = −0.56, P < 0.001) and usual gait speed (β = 0.35, P < 0.001). Conclusions The elderly HD group had a poorer physical function and experienced stronger ADL difficulty than the control group. There was an association between ADL difficulty and sarcopenia or poor physical function among patients undergoing HD. These findings provide useful data for effective clinical management to prevent decline of ADL in ambulatory elderly patients undergoing HD.

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