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Lower extremity strength and power asymmetry assessment in healthy and mobility-limited populations: reliability and association with physical functioning

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Abstract

Background and aims: This study assessed the reliability of evaluating asymmetrical strength and power deficits in the lower limbs of healthy middle-aged, healthy older and mobility-limited elders. We also explored the relationship between limb asymmetry and physical functioning. Methods: We evaluated baseline knee extension strength and power asymmetry data from a cohort of older adults (n=57; 74.2±0.9 yrs, 26 male) who participated in a lower body strength training study (TS) and from a cross-sectional study of community dwelling volunteers. Cross-sectional participants were recruited into: healthy middle-aged (MH) (n=31; 47.4±4.8 yrs, 14 male), healthy older (OH) (n=28; 74.0±3.6 yrs, 16 male) and mobility-limited older (OML) (n=34; 77.8±4.5 yrs, 16 male) groups. Knee extensor strength (1RM) and power asymmetry at 40% and 70% of 1RM were evaluated for test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: Knee extension 1RM, and peak power at 40% and 70% asymmetry ICCs exhibited excellent to good reliability in the TS and OML groups (TS=0.8, 0.7 and 0.7, respectively; OML=0.7, 0.7, and 0.9, respectively) but not in the MH and OH groups. No consistent association between lower limb asymmetry and measures of physical functioning was observed. Conclusions: Assessment of lower limb strength and power asymmetry is more reliable in mobility-limited elders when compared to healthy middle-aged and older subjects. The relationship of lower limb asymmetry to physical functioning is poor, in contrast to associations between the absolute strength and power of the individual limbs and physical functioning.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, 711 Washington St., Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Robert J. Carabello, Kieran F. Reid, Edward M. Phillips & Roger A. Fielding PhD

  2. Human Physiology Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

    Edward M. Phillips & Roger A. Fielding PhD

  3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Edward M. Phillips & Roger A. Fielding PhD

  4. Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USA

    David J. Clark

  5. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    David J. Clark

Authors
  1. Robert J. Carabello
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  2. Kieran F. Reid
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  3. David J. Clark
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  4. Edward M. Phillips
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  5. Roger A. Fielding PhD
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Correspondence to Roger A. Fielding PhD.

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Carabello, R.J., Reid, K.F., Clark, D.J. et al. Lower extremity strength and power asymmetry assessment in healthy and mobility-limited populations: reliability and association with physical functioning. Aging Clin Exp Res 22, 324–329 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03337729

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03337729

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