Use of Jumping Mechanography as a Method to Assess Musculoskeletal Status in Older Adults

Use of Jumping Mechanography as a Method to Assess Musculoskeletal Status in Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Decline in muscle function may increase risk of hip fracture and decrease quality of life. Different tests are currently used to measure muscle function but they do not work for all individuals. A test called "jumping mechanography," which measures jumping power, may be useful in more people and obtain better information. This study will help us determine whether this test is able to detect differences between muscle function in younger and older adults, as well as whether it is a safe method to use in all ages.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Women and men aged 20 to 30 or ≥ 60 years
2. Able and willing to sign informed consent.
3. Ability to stand without assistance.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Acute pain different and/or worse than the individuals chronic baseline pain
2. History of recent trauma to musculoskeletal system
3. Neuromuscular disease impairing balance to the degree of not being able to stand without assistance.
4. History of fragility fracture within the last year
5. Patients with a BMD T-score of less than -3.5 at any measured site and a vertebral fracture.
6. History of severe end-organ disease, e.g., cardiovascular, hepatic, hematologic, pulmonary, etc., which might limit the ability to complete this study.
7. Recent history of malignancy with metastasis to the musculoskeletal system.