Association between hip and trunk muscle function, balance and functionality in community-dwelling older adults

Author(s)

Jaqueline Mello Porto

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2016-03-28

Examining board members

Daniela Cristina Carvalho de Abreu; Renato de Moraes; Fábio Viadanna Serrão

• Advisor: Daniela Cristina Carvalho de Abreu

Abstract

Previous studies have investigated causes and risk factors for falls and functional disability in the elderly. However, regarding biomechanical factors involved in the functional performance and postural control, the contribution of the proximal muscle groups of the hip and trunk still receives little attention. The objective of this study was to assess the association between muscle function of hip abductors and adductors and trunk flexors and extensors muscles with the performance of static and dynamic balance and functionality of community-dwelling older adults. Methods: eighty-one elderly of both sexes underwent assessment of balance and functionality through: (1) tandem gait test on the Balance Master force platform (Neurocom International Inc., Clackamas, OR) to obtain the variable tandem gait speed and body sway velocity in the end of tandem gait; and (2) clinical tests of single-leg stance and Timed Up and Go (TUG). The participants also underwent assessment of muscle function in isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 4 Pro, New York, USA) through 3 maximal isometric contractions of abduction and adduction of the hip and flexion and extension of the trunk to obtain the variables peak torque (PT) and rate of force development (RFD) in proportion to body weight. The Shapiro-Wilk normality test was performed and then, Pearson correlation test (data with normal distribution) and Spearman (data with non-normal distribution) were applied. Linear regression test was applied to quantify the determination index (r2) of muscle function of the hip and trunk in balance and functionality of the elderly for those variables with significant correlation coefficient. It was adopted a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05). Results: there was correlation with a significant determination index of PT of muscle groups of the hip and trunk in the performance of balance and functionality tests. Regarding the RFD, it was found correlation with significant determination index of RFD of the hip abduction and trunk extension in the body sway velocity in the end of tandem gait and TUG; and of RFD of the trunk extension in single-leg stance. Conclusions: These findings may be clinically relevant considering that (1) different parameters of muscle function (such as PT and RDF) have different intervention strategies for their improvement and (2) problems of balance and / or functionality in the elderly may be 12 associated with impairments of RFD and PT of proximal muscles, which are parameters that can be treated. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/23344-7 - Muscle function of the hip and trunk and its influence on postural control while performing tasks static and dynamic in the elderly
• Grantee: Jaqueline Mello Porto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master