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Isokinetic Leg Muscle Strength in Older Americans and Its Relationship to a Standardized Walk Test: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2000
Author(s) -
Ostchega Yechiam,
Dillon Charles F.,
Lindle Rosemary,
Carroll Margaret,
Hurley Ben F.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52268.x
Subject(s) - national health and nutrition examination survey , medicine , ethnic group , physical therapy , muscle strength , health statistics , gerontology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , population , environmental health , sociology , anthropology
Objectives: To describe isokinetic knee extensor muscle strength in older U.S. men and women by age and race/ethnicity and to ascertain its relationship to a standard, timed walking‐speed test. Setting: The U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2000. Design: A cross‐sectional nationally representative health examination survey. Participants: All surveyed persons aged 50 and older (N=1,499) who performed muscle strength and timed walk examinations in the NHANES mobile examination center. Measurements: Concentric peak torque (strength) of the knee extensors at 1.05 rads/ s −1 velocity and a 6‐m walk timed in seconds. Results: Knee extensor strength was inversely associated with age ( P< .01), and women had less knee extensor muscle strength than men ( P< .01). After adjustment for standing height, no significant difference in muscle strength was found across the three race/ethnicity groups (Mexican Americans, non‐Hispanic blacks, and non‐Hispanic whites) for men or women. After adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, weight, and height, increasing knee extensor strength was associated with significant increases in meters walked per second ( P< .01). Conclusion: Knee extensor muscle strength is affected by age and sex but not by race/ethnicity and it is significantly associated with timed walk.