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Comparison of toe pressure strength in the standing position and toe grip strength in association with the presence of assistance in standing up: a cross-sectional study in community-dwelling older adults

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Key summary points

AbstractSection Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the association between toe pressure strength in the standing position and the presence of assistance during standing up in the older adults.

AbstractSection Findings

The results showed that even a strong toe grip strength may not contribute to “no” assistance in standing up. On the other hand, stronger toe pressure strength in the standing position may contribute to “no” assistance in standing up.

AbstractSection Message

Toe pressure strength in the standing position may be one of the important functions among those associated with standing up. In addition, this study offers the possibility of contributing to the rehabilitation of older adults who need to improve their ability to stand up without assistance.

Abstract

Purpose

We believe that toe pressure strength in the standing position, which is closer to the actual movement, is more associated with standing up in the older adults than the conventional toe grip strength. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the association between toe pressure strength in the standing position and the presence of assistance in standing up in the older adults.

Methods

Ninety-five community-dwelling older adults (82 ± 8 years old, 72% female) were included in this study. The patients were evaluated based on their need for assistance in standing up. Physical functions, including toe pressure strength in the standing position, toe grip strength, hand grip strength, knee extension strength, one-leg standing time with eyes open, and maximal walking speed, were measured.

Results

When compared with and without assistance to stand up, the group requiring assistance had weaker toe pressure strength in the standing position than the group without assistance (p = 0.015, ES = 0.53). After adjusting for confounding factors, the final model revealed that toe pressure strength in the standing position was associated with the use of assistance in standing up (odds ratio 0.94 [0.88–0.99, p = 0.025]).

Conclusion

Toe pressure strength in the standing position was associated with the use of assistance in standing up in older adults. Improving toe pressure strength in the standing position may facilitate the ability of older adults to stand up.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Enago (www.enago.jp) for the English language review.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Nishikyushu University, 4490-9, Ozaki, Kanzaki, Saga, 842-8585, Japan

    Taishiro Kamasaki, Mizuki Hachiya & Hiroshi Otao

  2. Doctoral Program of Clinical Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1, Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan

    Taishiro Kamasaki & Suguru Shimokihara

  3. Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1, Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan

    Takayuki Tabira

  4. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Science, Reiwa Health Sciences University, 2-1-12, Washirokaoka, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 811-0213, Japan

    Shinichi Tanaka

  5. Medical Corporation Hiramatsu Hospital, 1000-1, Ogi, Saga, 845-0001, Japan

    Takahiro Kitajima

  6. Medical Corporation Ito Clinic Day Care Celery, 90-1, Maedu, Tikugo, Fukuoka, 833-0002, Japan

    Kohei Ochishi

  7. Department of Occupational Therapy, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8520, Japan

    Michio Maruta

  8. Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Sciences at Fukuoka, International University of Health and Welfare, 137-1, Enokizu, Okawa, Fukuoka, 831-8501, Japan

    Gwanghee Han

  9. Visiting Researcher, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1, Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8544, Japan

    Michio Maruta & Gwanghee Han

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  1. Taishiro Kamasaki
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Contributions

Since we work as a team, essentially all authors are involved in planning the study, conducting the study, and reviewing it after it is written. Roles with particular contributions are listed below. Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Investigation, Data Curation & Writing—Original Draft: TK, Conceptualization, Investigation, Data Curation & Supervision: TT, Methodology, Investigation & Data Curation: MH, Investigation & Data Curation: ST, Validation & Writing—Review & Editing: TK, Validation & Writing—Review & Editing: KO, Formal analysis & Project administration: SS, Methodology, Formal analysis & Project administration: MM, Validation & Writing—Review & Editing: GH, Conceptualization, Investigation, Data Curation & Supervision: HO.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Taishiro Kamasaki.

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Conflict of interest

There are no conflicts of interest to disclose in this study.

Ethical approval

The study was approved by the Ethical Review Committee of Nishikyushu University, where the responsible author is affiliated (approval number: 22FZX09).

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All participants provided informed consent.

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Kamasaki, T., Tabira, T., Hachiya, M. et al. Comparison of toe pressure strength in the standing position and toe grip strength in association with the presence of assistance in standing up: a cross-sectional study in community-dwelling older adults. Eur Geriatr Med 14, 429–438 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41999-023-00776-z

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