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A reference equation for normal standards for knee extensor isokinetic strength in Brazilian older women

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Abstract

Background

Knee extensor strength assessment has been especially emphasized in older people, but lack of reference values limits its usefulness in geriatric evaluation.

Aims

The aim of this study was to develop a reference equation for knee extensor isokinetic strength standards in older women.

Methods

Knee extensor isokinetic tests at 60°/s were performed in 390 Brazilian older women aged 60–84 years (67.38 ± 5.56 years) and in a separate validation sample of 110 women (67.94 ± 6.13 years). A regression equation for peak torque (PT) was derived and compared to commonly used formulas: the equations of Neder and Gross. Age, weight and height were the only significant predictors (multiple R = 0.55; R2 = 0.30; p < 0.001). The proposed equation was examined in the independent sample. Percent from predicted values was calculated and Bland–Altman plots were constructed.

Results

Both the Neder and Gross equations significantly underestimated predicted PT values (both p < 0.001); mean bias were 6.79 and 6.75, respectively. The proposed equation [PT = 39.72 − (1.24 × age) + (0.44 × weight) + (69.70 × height)] was matched with the independent sample, with a percent predicted isokinetic strength of approximately 95%, a mean bias approximately 40% lower 4.23 than the other equations, and stable across all age groups.

Conclusions

Available equations for knee extensor isokinetic strength are not adequate for older women. The equation developed in the present study provided considerably lower average error and thus with more suitable reference values.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculdade de Educação Física, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, CEP 70910-970, Brazil

    Juscélia Cristina Pereira, Silvia Gonçalves Ricci Neri, André Bonadias Gadelha, Martim Bottaro & Ricardo M. Lima

  2. Federal Institute of Triângulo Mineiro, Campus Paracatu, Paracatu, MG, Brazil

    Juscélia Cristina Pereira

  3. Master of Cancer Care Program, School of Health Sciences, Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA, USA

    Baruch Vainshelboim

Authors
  1. Juscélia Cristina Pereira
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  2. Silvia Gonçalves Ricci Neri
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  3. Baruch Vainshelboim
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  4. André Bonadias Gadelha
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  5. Martim Bottaro
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  6. Ricardo M. Lima
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Correspondence to Juscélia Cristina Pereira.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Statement of human and animal rights

All experiments on human subjects were conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the study protocol was previously approved by the Institutional Review Board (CEP/UNB: NUMBER 1.223.636).

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All volunteers were informed about the study procedures and voluntarily signed an informed consent form.

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Pereira, J.C., Neri, S.G.R., Vainshelboim, B. et al. A reference equation for normal standards for knee extensor isokinetic strength in Brazilian older women. Aging Clin Exp Res 31, 1531–1537 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-018-1084-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-018-1084-9

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