scholarly journals Calf-raise senior: a new test for assessment of plantar flexor muscle strength in older adults: protocol, validity, and reliability

2016 ◽  
Vol Volume 11 ◽  
pp. 1661-1674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helô André ◽  
Filomena Carnide ◽  
Edgar Borja ◽  
Fátima Ramalho ◽  
Rita Santos-Rocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Flexor Muscle

scholarly journals Association ankle function and balance in community-dwelling older adults

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247885
Author(s):  
David Hernández-Guillén ◽  
Catalina Tolsada-Velasco ◽  
Sergio Roig-Casasús ◽  
Elena Costa-Moreno ◽  
Irene Borja-de-Fuentes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Ankle Mobility ◽  
Ankle Function ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background and purpose Ankle function declines with age. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between ankle function and balance in older adults, with a focus on range of motion (ROM) and strength. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that included 88 healthy community-dwelling older adults. Ankle mobility was measured while bearing weight (lunge test) and not bearing weight. The plantar-flexor muscle strength was assessed using a hand-held dynamometer. Balance was measured in terms of dynamic balance and mobility (timed up and go test), monopodal and bipodal static balance with open and closed eyes (single-leg stand test and platform measures), and margins of stability (functional reach test). Linear correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted with a 95% CI. Results and discussion Most participants had limited ankle mobility (n = 75, 86%). Weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM was the strongest predictor of dynamic balance and included general mobility and stability (Radj2 = [0.34]; β = [-0.50]). In contrast, plantar-flexor muscle strength was a significant predictor of static standing balance with open eyes (Radj2 = [0.16–0.2]; β = [0.29–0.34]). Overall, weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM was a more representative measure of balance and functional performance; however, a non-weight-bearing mobility assessment provides complementary information. Therefore, both measures can be used in clinical practice. Conclusion This study supports the concept that ankle mobility contributes to the performance of dynamic tasks, while the plantar-flexor muscle strength helps to develop a standing static balance. Identification of alterations in ankle function is warranted and may assist in the design of tailored interventions. These interventions can be used in isolation or to augment conventional balance training in order to improve balance performance in community-dwelling older adults.

Does clinically measured ankle plantar flexor muscle strength or weakness correlate with walking performance in healthy individuals?

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1201-1209
Author(s):  
N. Ekin Akalan ◽  
Shavkat Kuchimov ◽  
Adnan Apti ◽  
Yener Temelli ◽  
Merve Ören ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Walking Performance

scholarly journals Effects of Vibration Rolling with and without Dynamic Muscle Contraction on Ankle Range of Motion, Proprioception, Muscle Strength and Agility in Young Adults: A Crossover Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo-Jhang Lyu ◽  
Chia-Lun Lee ◽  
Wen-Dien Chang ◽  
Nai-Jen Chang
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Exercise Performance ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Ankle Dorsiflexion ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Warm Up

Vibration rolling (VR) has emerged as a self-myofascial release (SMR) tool to aid exercise performance when warming up. However, the benefits of VR on exercise performance when combined with dynamic muscle contraction are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of the combination of VR with dynamic muscle contraction (DVR), VR, and static stretching (SS) during warm-up on range of motion (ROM), proprioception, muscle strength of the ankle, and agility in young adults. In this crossover design study, 20 recreationally active adults without musculoskeletal disorders completed three test sessions in a randomized order, with 48 h of rest between each session. Participants completed one warm-up intervention and its measurements on the same day; different warm-up interventions and measurements were performed on each of the three days. The measurements included ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion ROM, ankle joint proprioception, muscle strength, and agility. After DVR and VR intervention, ankle dorsiflexion ROM (both DVR and VR, p < 0.001), plantarflexion ROM (both DVR and VR, p < 0.001), plantar flexor muscle strength (DVR, p = 0.007; VR, p < 0.001), and agility (DVR, p = 0.016; VR, p = 0.007) significantly improved; after SS intervention, ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion ROM (dorsiflexion, p < 0.001; plantar flexion, p = 0.009) significantly improved, but muscle strength and agility were not enhanced. Compared with SS, DVR and VR significantly improved ankle plantar flexor muscle strength (p = 0.008 and p = 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, DVR significantly improved ankle dorsiflexion compared with VR (p < 0.001) and SS (p < 0.001). In conclusion, either DVR, VR, or SS increased ankle ROM, but only DVR and VR increased muscle strength and agility. In addition, DVR produced considerable increases in ankle dorsiflexion. These findings may have implications for warm-up prescription and implementation in both rehabilitative and athletic practice settings.

scholarly journals Effects of triceps surae muscle strength and tendon stiffness on the reactive dynamic stability and adaptability of older female adults during perturbed walking

2018 ◽  
Vol 124 (6) ◽  
pp. 1541-1549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaspar Epro ◽  
Christopher McCrum ◽  
Andreas Mierau ◽  
Michael Leyendecker ◽  
Gert-Peter Brüggemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Motor Response ◽  
Triceps Surae ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Tendon Stiffness ◽  
Gait Stability ◽  
Locomotor System ◽  
Base Of Support

This study aimed to examine whether the triceps surae (TS) muscle-tendon unit (MTU) mechanical properties affect gait stability and its reactive adaptation potential to repeated perturbation exposure in older adults. Thirty-four older adults each experienced eight separate unexpected perturbations during treadmill walking, while a motion capture system was used to determine the margin of stability (MoS) and base of support (BoS). Ankle plantar flexor muscle strength and Achilles tendon (AT) stiffness were analyzed using ultrasonography and dynamometry. A median split and separation boundaries classified the subjects into two groups with GroupStrong ( n = 10) showing higher ankle plantar flexor muscle strength (2.26 ± 0.17 vs. 1.47 ± 0.20 N·m/kg, means ± SD; P < 0.001) and AT stiffness (544 ± 75 vs. 429 ± 86 N/mm; P = 0.004) than GroupWeak ( n = 12). The first perturbation caused a negative ΔMoS (MoS in relation to unperturbed baseline walking) at touchdown of perturbed step (PertR), indicating an unstable position. GroupStrong required four recovery steps to return to ΔMoS zero level, whereas GroupWeak was unable to return to baseline within the analyzed steps. However, after repeated perturbations, both groups increased ΔMoS at touchdown of PertR with a similar magnitude. Significant correlations between ΔBoS and ΔMoS at touchdown of the first recovery step and TS MTU capacities (0.41 < r < 0.57; 0.006 < P < 0.048) were found. We conclude that older adults with TS muscle weakness have a diminished ability to control gait stability during unexpected perturbations, increasing their fall risk, but that degeneration in muscle strength and tendon stiffness may not inhibit the ability of the locomotor system to adapt the reactive motor response to repeated perturbations. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Triceps surae muscle weakness and a more compliant Achilles tendon partly limit older adults’ ability to effectively enlarge the base of support and recover dynamic stability after an unexpected perturbation during walking, increasing their fall risk. However, the degeneration in muscle strength and tendon stiffness may not inhibit the ability of the locomotor system to adapt the reactive motor response to repeated perturbations.

scholarly journals Intra-and Intermuscular Coherence and Body Acceleration Control in Older Adults during Bipedal Stance

Geriatrics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Tadayoshi Minamisawa ◽  
Noboru Chiba ◽  
Eizaburo Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Plantar Flexors ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Bipedal Stance ◽  
Intermuscular Coherence ◽  
The Relationship

Our aim was to clarify the effect of aging on the coherence of electromyograms of plantar flexor pairs during bipedal stance and to clarify the relationship between coherence and center-of-mass acceleration (COMacc). The subjects were 16 adults and 18 older adults. Intra- and intermuscular coherence and phase analyses were used to analyze the muscle pairs of bilateral and unilateral plantar flexor muscle groups. The relationship between coherence value and anterior–posterior COMacc of the plantar flexor muscle pairs was also examined to determine whether the connectivity of the lower limb muscle pairs is functionally important. The older adults showed higher coherence in the frequency range of 0–4 Hz for muscle pairs than the younger adults. In phase analysis, the older adults showed a phase difference between bilateral heteronymous muscle pairs in the frequency range of 0–6 Hz, which was one of the characteristics not seen in the younger adults. Correlation analysis showed that all the muscle pairs were moderately correlated with COMacc in the older adults. Not only does aging affects the organization of the bilateral and unilateral postural muscle activity of the plantar flexors during bipedal stance, but such organization may also be related to the increased COMacc characteristics of older adults.

scholarly journals Decreased Muscle Strength Relates to Self-Reported Stooping, Crouching, or Kneeling Difficulty in Older Adults

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel E. Hernandez ◽  
Allon Goldberg ◽  
Neil B. Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Functional Mobility ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Muscle Groups ◽  
Flexor Strength

Background Bending down and kneeling are fundamental tasks of daily living, yet nearly a quarter of older adults report having difficulty performing or being unable to perform these movements. Older adults with stooping, crouching, or kneeling (SCK) difficulty have demonstrated an increased fall risk. Strength (force-generating capacity) measures may be useful for determining both SCK difficulty and fall risk. Objective The purposes of this study were: (1) to examine muscle strength differences in older adults with and without SCK difficulty and (2) to examine the relative contributions of trunk and leg muscle strength to SCK difficulty. Design This was a cross-sectional observational study. Methods Community-dwelling older adults (age [X̅±SD]=75.5±6.0 years) with SCK difficulty (n=27) or without SCK difficulty (n=21) were tested for leg and trunk strength and functional mobility. Isometric strength at the trunk, hip, knee, and ankle also was normalized by body weight and height. Results Compared with older adults with no SCK difficulty, those with SCK difficulty had significant decreases in normalized trunk extensor, knee extensor, and ankle dorsiflexor and plantar-flexor strength. In 2 separate multivariate analyses, raw ankle plantar-flexor strength (odds ratio [OR]=0.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.95–0.99) and normalized knee extensor strength (OR=0.61, 95% CI=0.44–0.82) were significantly associated with SCK difficulty. Stooping, crouching, and kneeling difficulty also correlated with measures of functional balance and falls. Limitations Although muscle groups that were key to rising from SCK were examined, there are other muscle groups that may contribute to safe SCK performance. Conclusions Decreased muscle strength, particularly when normalized for body size, predicts SCK difficulty. These data emphasize the importance of strength measurement at multiple levels in predicting self-reported functional impairment.

Effects of a high-volume static stretching programme on plantar-flexor muscle strength and architecture

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaoru Yahata ◽  
Andreas Konrad ◽  
Shigeru Sato ◽  
Ryosuke Kiyono ◽  
Riku Yoshida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Static Stretching ◽  
Flexor Muscle

Plantar Flexor Strength Training With Home-Based Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Improves Limits of Postural Stability in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 657-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Langeard ◽  
Lucile Bigot ◽  
Gilles Loggia ◽  
Nathalie Chastan ◽  
Gaëlle Quarck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Strength Increase ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Limits Of Stability ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Flexor Strength

Background: The study aimed to determine whether improved muscle strength after 12 weeks of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of plantar and dorsiflexors could result in better limits of stability in older adults. Methods: Twenty-seven participants were divided into a control group and a neuromuscular home-based training group. The training group performed a 3-month long NMES training of both plantar and dorsiflexors. Ankle flexor strength and limits of stability were measured. A mediation analysis was conducted to determine whether the NMES effect on the limits of stability was mediated by increased strength. Results: The NMES training increased plantar flexor strength (+47%; β = 0.217, P = .02), and this increase predicted the anterior limits of stability improvement (+27%; β = 0.527, P = .02). The effect of the NMES on the limits of stability was fully mediated by the plantar flexor strength increase (indirect effect: β = 0.1146; 95% confidence interval, 0.020–0.240). Conclusion: It seems that NMES improves the limits of stability through its positive effect on muscle strength. NMES may be utilized in fall-prevention programs.

scholarly journals Acute Effect of Vibration Roller With and Without Rolling on Various Parts of the Plantar Flexor Muscle

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatoshi Nakamura ◽  
Shigeru Sato ◽  
Ryosuke Kiyono ◽  
Riku Yoshida ◽  
Yuta Murakami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Athletic Performance ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
Plantar Flexor ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Jump Performance ◽  
Muscle Belly ◽  
Shear Elastic Modulus ◽  
Passive Torque

A single use of a vibration foam roller likely increases the range of motion (ROM) without decreasing muscle strength and athletic performance. However, to date, no study compared the effects of a vibration roller with and without rolling on various parts of the plantar flexor muscle. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of the vibration foam roller with rolling or without rolling at the muscle-tendon junction (MTJ) or the muscle belly on dorsiflexion (DF) ROM, passive torque at DF ROM, shear elastic modulus, muscle strength, and jump performance. Fifteen healthy young males performed the following three conditions: (1) vibration rolling over the whole muscle-tendon unit, (2) static vibration on muscle belly, and (3) static vibration on MTJ for three-set 60-s vibration in random order. In this study, DF ROM, passive torque, shear elastic modulus, muscle strength, and single-leg drop jump were measured before and immediately after the interventions. The DF ROM and passive torque at DF ROM were increased after all three conditions, whereas the shear elastic modulus was decreased after vibration rolling and static vibration on the muscle belly, but not following static vibration of the MTJ. In addition, there were no significant changes in muscle strength and jump performance in any group. Our results showed that vibration with rolling or static vibration on muscle belly could be effective to improve ROM and muscle stiffness without adverse effects of muscle strength and athletic performance.

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