Abstract
BackgroundMuscular power is an important aspect of many activities of daily living and declines at a faster rate than other fitness parameters (i.e. muscular strength and endurance). Assessing muscular power among older adults is problematic as many of the popular tests are contraindicated among older adults and field tests to assess muscular power among older adults have not been validated among older adults. Therefore, the aim of the present investigation was to determine the validity and reliability of a field test to measure of muscular power during a functional movement among community-dwelling older adults (≥ 65 years).MethodsTwenty community-dwelling older adults (71.6 ± 5.6) volunteered to have their muscular power assessed during repeated sit-to-stand (STS) tasks. Each participant performed 10 STS with 60 s rest between trials. Muscular power was assessed during this functional movement with the Tendo as well as change in center of mass (COM) over time using cinematography.ResultsRelative power measured by Tendo was 5.34 ± 1.67 W/kg and values for COM were 5.39 ± 1.73 W/kg (p = .86). Cronbach’s alpha for Tendo muscular power for repeated trials was .98.ConclusionsTendo is a simple field method of determining muscular power among older adults and validation is essential. Results from this investigation support Tendo as a valid and reliable method for determining muscular power during a STS task among older adults. Clinicians may use this tool to evaluate and assess progress in older adults’ power and physical functioning.
Highlights
Muscular power is an important aspect of many activities of daily living and declines at a faster rate than other fitness parameters
These results suggest that the Tendo has high reliability between chair stands. In this sample of community-dwelling older adults, the Tendo muscular power results were similar and strongly correlated to muscular power as measured by center of mass (COM) motion analysis. These results indicate that Tendo is a valid and reliable method of determining muscular power during a STS task among older adults
Muscular power is an important aspect of functional fitness among older adults
Summary
Muscular power is an important aspect of many activities of daily living and declines at a faster rate than other fitness parameters (i.e. muscular strength and endurance). Throughout the aging process, individuals develop functional limitations and physical ability begins to diminish These declines have been documented for balance [2], gait [3], muscular power [4], as well as cognition [5]. 80% of older adults are living with at least one mobility disability, and as a result, the cost of health care is three to five times greater than the cost for an individual younger than 65 [1].
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