THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TESTS OF FUNCTIONAL ABILITY IN THE ELDERLY

Abstract

Functional capacity in the elderly is related to quality of life. PURPOSE: To determine if an individual's performance on functional tasks is related to performance on other functional tasks. METHODS: Forty-eight functionally limited volunteers (13M, 35F; 65–93 yr) were tested on a battery of functional and strength measures. Functional tasks carried out included time to ascend and descend 21 stairs, a 6-minute walk (total distance covered), a chair-stand in which the number of stands achieved in 30 seconds was recorded, and a test in which subjects were timed moving from a standing to supine position, and from supine to standing. Further, maximal knee flexion and extension were measured via an isokinetic dynamometer. Pearson Product moment correlations were calculated between all of the above mentioned variables. RESULTS: There was a strong relationship between the supine to standing and the ascending stair task (r = .819, p < .01) and between the supine to standing and the descending stair task (r = .858, p < .01). The six-minute walk was strongly related to chair stands (r = .473, p < .01). Knee extension was strongly related to the following tasks: chair-stands (r = .315, p < .05), 6-minute walk (r = .438, p < .01), and supine to standing (r = .332, p < .05), indicating a relationship between quadricep strength and functional ability. Knee flexion was related to knee extension (r = .753, p < .01) but not any of the functional measures. CONCLUSION: Functional performance was primarily associated with distance covered during the 6-minute walk and quadricep strength. Such findings suggest that functional performance in the elderly may be modified via leg strengthening and aerobic training protocols. Supported by the National Institute of Health #: R01 NR04929-01A1