Chair Stand Test Performance Research Articles

Testosterone and resistance training improved physical performance and reduced fatigue in frail older men: 1 year follow-up of a randomized clinicaltrial.

To improve health conditions among hypogonadal men ≥70 years of age using testosterone undecanoate (TU) injections, progressive strength training, and oral supplements of vitamin D, calcium, and protein. This study is a 1-year follow-up of a double-blind RCT lasting 20 weeks, including 148 older men ≥70 years old with low testosterone levels and mobility problems. During 52 weeks, 4 groups received either testosterone therapy (TU) or progressive resistance training (Training), both (Combo), or no intervention (Controls). Physiotherapists supported the training groups until week 20, while these participants continued trained on their own during weeks 21 to 52. The main outcome measure was the 30-s chair stand test. The following numbers of participants completed the trial: 20 (Combo), 20 (Controls), 24 (TU), and 14 (Training). When examining 30-s chair stand test performance within each group at baseline, and at weeks 4, 20 and 52, only the Combo group improved (p = 0.001, Friedman Test). Compared to controls, only the Combo group experienced reduced fatigue and tiredness (p < 0.05). Fifty-two weeks of testosterone supplementation combined with progressive resistance training may enhance physical performance, alleviate fatigue, and had no notable detrimental impacts among males aged ≥70 suffering from mobility issues and testosterone insufficiency.Trial registration - Clinical Trials NCT02873559.

Beneficial effects of exercise, testosterone, vitamin D, calcium and protein in older men-A randomized clinical trial.

Due to increasing older populations worldwide, injuries, disabilities and deaths caused by falls among the elderly represent a growing human and societal problem. We aimed to improve health among men of at least 70years of age with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems by using testosterone undecanoate (TU) injections, progressive strength training, and oral supplements of vitamin D, calcium and protein. This was a single-centre, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial with 148 older men with a median age of 77 (73-81) years, testosterone levels at median 8 (5-9) nmol/L (full range from 1.1 to 12.9nmol/L) and mobility problems, recruited at University Hospital of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Denmark. Participants were randomized into four arms for 20weeks: (1) TU therapy (n=37); (2) progressive resistance training with supplements of calcium, vitamin D and protein (n=36); (3) both interventions combined (n=36); or (4) no intervention (n=39). The main outcome measure was the 30-s chair stand test, due to test performance correlating with the risk of serious fall injuries and lower extremity muscle strength. Outcome measurements were performed at baseline and after 20weeks. After the intervention, the combination group receiving progressive resistance training, TU and supplements achieved a median score of 13 (11-15) compared to the control group at 10 (0-14) in the 30-s chair stand test (P=0.003). This median improvement of 3.0 was clinically important. Compared to the control group, participants in the combination group also increased quality of life (P<0.05) and reduced both tiredness (P<0.05) and leg fat (P<0.05) and had higher variability in the RR interval (P<0.01). The group receiving TU reduced gynoid and leg fat compared to the control group (both P<0.05). Blood tests improved for several variables, especially in the combination group. There was no statistically significant increase in adverse effects from either the supplements or training. In men ≥70years old with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems, supplements of testosterone, calcium, vitamin D and protein combined with progressive resistance training improved 30-s chair stand test performance, muscle strength and quality of life. Both tiredness and leg fat were reduced, and RR interval variability was increased. Significant adverse effects were not observed.

Functional mobility and 10-year all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older people from São Paulo, Brazil

BackgroundA better understanding of performance in functional mobility tasks related to the mortality patterns for the different causes of death for the Brazilian older population is still a challenge. ObjectiveTo analyze if gait speed and chair stand test performance are associated with mortality in older adults, and if the overall mobility status changes the effect of other mortality risk factors. MethodsThe data were from SABE (Health, Well-being and Aging Study), a multiple-cohort study conducted in São Paulo, Brazil, with a representative sample of people aged 60 and more. Cox regression models were used to analyze 10-year all-cause and cause-specific mortality with consideration for gait speed and the chair stand test. ResultsOf the 1411 participants, 26% died during the follow-up. The performance in the chair stand test had a more consistent association with mortality (hazard ratio (HR)=1.03, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.05) than gait speed. Being unable to perform the test also increased the risk to die by all-cause (HR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.21, 2.42) and by diseases of the circulatory system (HR=2.14, 95%CI: 1.25, 3.65). The stratified analysis of mobility performance changed the effects of some of the mortality risk factors, such as cognitive impairment and multimorbidity. ConclusionsThe chair stand test could be a better choice than 3-meters walking test as a mortality predictor. In addition, the impact of cognitive decline and multimorbidity were greater among those with reduced mobility, supporting the development of preventive interventions and public policies targeted at more vulnerable groups of older adults.

Evaluation of unsupervised 30-second chair stand test performance assessed by wearable sensors to predict fall status in multiple sclerosis

BackgroundOne in two people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) will fall in a three-month period. Predicting which patients will fall remains a challenge for clinicians. Standardized functional assessments provide insight into balance deficits and fall risk but their use has been limited to supervised visits. Research questionThe study aim was to characterize unsupervised 30-second chair stand test (30CST) performance using accelerometer-derived metrics and assess its ability to classify fall status in PwMS compared to supervised 30CST. MethodsThirty-seven PwMS (21 fallers) performed instrumented supervised and unsupervised 30CSTs with a single wearable sensor on the thigh. In unsupervised conditions, participants performed bi-hourly 30CSTs and rated their balance confidence and fatigue over 48-hours. ROC analysis was used to classify fall status for 30CST performance. ResultsNon-fallers (p = 0.02) but not fallers (p = 0.23) differed in their average unsupervised 30CST performance (repetitions) compared to their supervised performance. The unsupervised maximum number of 30CST repetitions performed optimized ROC classification AUC (0.79), accuracy (78.4%) and specificity (90.0%) for fall status with an optimal cutoff of 17 repetitions. SignificanceBrief durations of instrumented unsupervised monitoring as an adjunct to routine clinical assessments could improve the ability for predicting fall risk and fluctuations in functional mobility in PwMS.

Correlation of sarcopenia and depressive mood in older community dwellers: a cross-sectional observational study in China

ObjectiveWhether sarcopenia is detrimental to depression is still controversial, which may be due to the three components of the sarcopenia. Our objective was to define the correlation between depression and...

Association of respiratory function with physical performance, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in older adults.

[Purpose] The associations between respiratory function, physical performance, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in older adults remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the associations of lung volume and respiratory muscle strength with physical performance, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in older adults. [Participants and Methods] In 62 ambulatory community-dwelling older adults, lung volumes (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1s), respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory and expiratory muscle pressures), physical performance (Timed Up and Go test and 30 s chair stand test), physical activity (steps and locomotive and non-locomotive physical activity), and sedentary behavior (percent sedentary time) were assessed. [Results] The percent sedentary time, 30-s chair stand test performance, and non-locomotive moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were independently associated with forced vital capacity, maximum inspiratory pressure, and maximum expiratory pressure, respectively. [Conclusion] The preliminary findings suggest that lung volumes and respiratory muscle strength may be differently affected by physical performance, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in ambulatory older adults.

Sarc-F and muscle function in community dwelling adults with aged care service needs: baseline and post-training relationship.

BackgroundThis study sought to better understand the psychometric properties of the SARC-F, by examining the baseline and training-related relationships between the five SARC-F items and objective measures of muscle function. Each of the five items of the SARC-F are scored from 0 to 2, with total score of four or more indicative of likely sarcopenia.MethodsThis manuscript describes a sub-study of a larger step-wedge, randomised controlled 24-week progressive resistance and balance training (PRBT) program trial for Australian community dwelling older adults accessing government supported aged care. Muscle function was assessed using handgrip strength, isometric knee extension, 5-time repeated chair stand and walking speed over 4 m. Associations within and between SARC-F categories and muscle function were assessed using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and multinomial regression, respectively.ResultsSignificant associations were identified at baseline between SARC-F total score and measures of lower-body muscle function (r = − 0.62 to 0.57; p ≤ 0.002) in 245 older adults. MCA analysis indicated the first three dimensions of the SARC-F data explained 48.5% of the cumulative variance. The initial dimension represented overall sarcopenia diagnosis, Dimension 2 the ability to displace the body vertically, and Dimension 3 walking ability and falls status. The majority of the 168 older adults who completed the PRBT program reported no change in their SARC-F diagnosis or individual item scores (56.5–79.2%). However, significant associations were obtained between training-related changes in SARC-F total and item scores and changes in walking speed and chair stand test performance (r = − 0.30 to 0.33; p < 0.001 and relative risk ratio = 0.40–2.24; p < 0.05, respectively). MCA analysis of the change score data indicated that the first two dimensions explained 32.2% of the cumulative variance, with these dimensions representing whether a change occurred and the direction of change, respectively.DiscussionThe results advance our comprehension of the psychometric properties on the SARC-F, particularly its potential use in assessing changes in muscle function. Older adults’ perception of their baseline and training-related changes in their function, as self-reported by the SARC-F, closely matched objectively measured muscle function tests. This is important as there may be a lack of concordance between self-reported and clinician-measured assessments of older adults’ muscle function. However, the SARC-F has a relative lack of sensitivity to detecting training-related changes, even over a period of 24 weeks.ConclusionsResults of this study may provide clinicians and researchers a greater understanding of how they may use the SARC-F and its potential limitations. Future studies may wish to further examine the SARC-F’s sensitivity of change, perhaps by adding a few additional items or an additional category of performance to each item.

Protocol for a single-centre, parallel-arm, randomised controlled superiority trial evaluating the effects of transcatheter arterial embolisation of abnormal knee neovasculature on pain, function and quality of life in people with knee osteoarthritis

IntroductionSymptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) is common. Advanced knee OA is successfully treated with joint replacement surgery, but effectively managing mild to moderate knee OA can be difficult. Angiogenesis increases with...

Hospitalization Effects on Physical Performance and Muscle Strength in Hospitalized Elderly Subjects

Background: Hospitalization is a stressful event, potentially dangerous for older people. In fact, it worsens and accelerates muscle mass loss associated with bed rest, increasing the risk of loss of autonomy, rehospitalization and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate in an acute care setting handgrip and physical performance in patients at hospital admission and discharge, and detect changes related to hospitalization. Methods: Between June 2011 and January 2012 we were recruited 355 patients of which about 255 it was possible to perform at least Handgrip both at admission and at discharge. Of these, 38.8% were female. Handgrip strength and physical performance by using the short physical performance battery (SPPB) were assessed at admission and before the discharge. In all subjects Barthel index and mini nutritional assessment (MNA) were also evaluated. Results: A significant worsening in walking speed, chair stands test and handgrip strength performance was observed. On the contrary the study population showed an improvement in the Barthel index. No significant differences between males and females in performance and muscle strength loss were observed. The chair stand test performance worsens further in malnourished patients. Conclusion: our data suggests that during hospitalization elderly patients experience a loss of performance and muscle strength, with no differences between males and females. Subjects with score indicative of malnutrition or at risk for malnutrition presented a chair stand test performance worsening significantly greater than subjects with normal nutritional status.

The ACTN3 R577X genotype is associated with muscle function in a Japanese population.

Homozygosity for the common nonsense polymorphism R577X in the α-actinin-3 gene (ACTN3) causes complete α-actinin-3 deficiency in fast-twitch skeletal muscle fibers. This study investigated whether the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism affects fitness status using a battery of tests in a large Japanese cohort. In the present study, 1227 subjects (age: 25-85 years) were genotyped for the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism (rs1815739) using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay (Applied Biosystems). All subjects were divided into 2 groups based on their age (<55 years and ≥55 years). All subjects completed a questionnaire about exercise habits and were subjected to a battery of tests to assess their fitness status (including grip strength test, chair stand test, and 8-foot walking test). A significant association between the ACTN3 R577X genotype and chair stand test performance was observed in the group of men ≥55 using ANCOVA adjusted for age and exercise habits (p = 0.036). The ACTN3 R577X genotype accounted for 2.5% of the variability in the results of the chair stand test among men in the ≥55 age group. Moreover, for the ≥55 age group, performance in the chair stand test was lower among those with the XX genotype than among those with the RR genotype (p = 0.024) or RX genotype (p = 0.005), unlike results for the <55 age group. No significant difference was noted for hand grip strength or 8-foot walking time. Thus, our results suggest that the ACTN3 R577X genotype is associated with lower-extremity muscle function in the Japanese population.

Intermittent and constant pain and physical function or performance in men and women with knee osteoarthritis: data from the osteoarthritis initiative.

Severe constant and intermittent knee pain are associated with "unacceptable" symptoms in older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) [22]. We hypothesized that constant and intermittent pain would be independently related to physical function, with intermittent knee pain being a better predictor of future declines in physical function in early symptomatic knee OA. This study included men (n = 189) and women (n = 133) with radiographic, unilateral knee OA, observed using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). Pain types were measured using the Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP) scale. Physical function was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC-PF) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS-FSR) and physical performance tests. High baseline intermittent (B = 0.277; p = 0.001) and constant (B = 0.252; p = 0.001) knee pain were related to poor WOMAC-PF. Increased constant (B = 0.484; p = 0.001) and intermittent (B = 0.104; p = 0.040) pain were related to 2-year decreased WOMAC-PF. High baseline intermittent knee pain predicted poor KOOS-FSR at year 2 (B = -0.357; p = 0.016). Increased constant pain was related to decreased chair stand test performance over 2 years in women (B = 0.077; p = 0.001). High baseline intermittent pain was related to poor performance on repeated chair stands (B = 0.035; p = 0.021), while baseline constant pain was related to poor 400-m walk performance in women (B = 0.636; p = 0.047). Intermittent and constant knee pain were independent factors in self-perceived physical function and were important predictors of future limitations in physical function. Identifying intermittent and constant pain in early symptomatic OA may allow patients to adopt strategies to prevent worsening pain and future declines in physical function.

Similar effects of leucine rich and regular dairy products on muscle mass and functions of older polymyalgia rheumatica patients: a randomized crossover trial.

Leucine-rich milk and whey proteins have been suggested for prevention of age related loss of muscle mass and strength i.e. sarcopenia. The effects of milk protein supplementation and low intensity home based physical exercise on body composition and muscle functions were investigated. A randomized double blind crossover trial. Community dwelling members of Helsinki rheumatoid association. Older people (N=47, mean age 69.5 years) suffering from polymyalgia rheumatica. Patients performed as many stand ups as possible twice a day after which they ingested a regular (Control) or a whey protein enriched dairy product with high leucine content (Test). The 8-week intervention periods were separated by a 4-week wash-out. Body composition was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry and muscle functions by hand grip strength, force platform countermovement jump performance, chair stand test, and walking speed. The 16-week home-based post-exercise supplementation resulted in a 1.8% increase (p = 0.052) in lower limb muscle mass. Walking speed (+5.3%, p = 0.007) and chair stand test performance (-12.2 %, p < 0.001) were also improved. Furthermore, a tendency for increased jump power (+3.0%, p = 0.084) was observed. However, significant and consistent differences were not found in the changes of muscle mass indices or muscle functions between supplements, but the test supplement tended to prevent accumulation of body fat. A low intensity home based exercise program combined with post-exercise milk protein supplementation is feasible despite some gastrointestinal complaints and seems effective in improving the muscle mass and functions of older persons with a inflammatory disease. Further studies are needed to establish, whether and to what extent the use of leucine-enriched whey products prevent or treat age-associated sarcopenia and whether they are superior to the present commercial milk products.