Power During Functional Tasks in Older Adults

Power During Functional Tasks in Older Adults: Reliability, Reference Values and Relationship With Other Outcome Measurements Related to Sarcopenia

The primary aim of this study is to optimize the methodology to measure lower limb power in older adults, so that clinicians are able to detect functional problems in this population earlier.

Aging is associated with slower movement patterns, a higher fall risk and a restriction in functionality. This will lead to an increase in the number of dependent elderly and a high socio-economic burden. From the age of 40, a systematic loss of muscle mass and muscle force, also known as sarcopenia, will occur. In addition, performing daily tasks requires the production of muscle force at a certain speed. The product of force and speed, power, decreases even earlier and faster than muscle force.

This power is typically measured with specialized equipment, which limits the large-scale applicability. With the help of accelerometry there is the possibility to measure power during more functional tasks and movements, which benefits the applicability, but the reliability, reference values and link with other outcome measurements related to sarcopenia has to be investigated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age >20

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable cardiovascular diseases
• Fever or acute infection
• Cognitive or physical malfunctioning that hinders the understanding or performance of tests and/or instructions