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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #367436
Title: Lower-extremity torque capacity and physical function in mobility-limited older adults

Author
item GROSICKI, GREGORY - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item ENGLUND, DAVIS - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item PRICE, LORI - Tufts Medical Center
item IWAI, MEGUMI - Astellas Pharma Inc
item KASHIWA, MAKOTO - Astellas Pharma Inc
item REID, KIERAN - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item FIELDING, ROGER - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2019
Publication Date: 8/3/2019
Citation: Grosicki, G.J., Englund, D.A., Price, L.L., Iwai, M., Kashiwa, M., Reid, K.F., Fielding, R.A. 2019. Lower-extremity torque capacity and physical function in mobility-limited older adults. Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging. 23:703-709. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-019-1232-8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-019-1232-8

Interpretive Summary: For decades scientists have sought to understand how age-related declines in skeletal muscle size, strength and endurance detract from physical function. This study used a novel leg muscle testing protocol to capture multiple muscle contractile characteristics, and then explored their association with a few highly meaningful measures of physical function (e.g., time to climb a flight of stairs or stand up out of a chair). Strong relationships between leg muscle measures obtained using this novel testing protocol and physical function highlight the utility of this time-efficient assessment technique to identify clinically relevant skeletal muscle deficits. Future studies are encouraged to consider using this innovative muscle testing protocol when evaluating leg muscle contractile performance in older adults.

Technical Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Skeletal muscle weakness and an increase in fatigability independently contribute to age-related functional decline. The objective of this study was to examine the combined contribution of these deficiencies (i.e., torque capacity) to physical function, and then to assess the functional implications of progressive resistance training (PRT) mediated torque capacity improvements in mobility-limited older adults. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Exercise laboratory on the Health Sciences campus of an urban university. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy mobility-limited (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)