Relation between functional mobility and dynapenia in institutionalized frail elderly

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the relation between functional mobility and dynapenia in institutionalized frail elderly. Methods A descriptive, correlational study involving 26 institutionalized elderly men and women, mean age 82.3±6 years. The instruments employed were the Mini Mental State Examination, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Timed Up and Go test, a handgrip dynamometer and a portable dynamometer for large muscle groups (shoulder, elbow and hip flexors, knee extensors and ankle dorsiflexors). Results Significant negative correlation between functional mobility levels assessed by the Timed Up and Go test and dynapenia was observed in all muscle groups evaluated, particularly in knee extensors (r -0.65). Conclusion A significant negative correlation between muscle strength, particularly knee extensor strength, and functional mobility was found in institutionalized elderly. Data presented indicate that the higher the muscle strength, the shorter the execution time, and this could demonstrate better performance in this functional mobility test.摘要 研究目的：探讨机构养老衰弱老年人的功能移动能力（functional mobility）与肌力减退症（dynapenia）之间的关联。 研究方法：本研究为描述性相关性研究，纳入26名机构养老的老年男女，平均年龄为82.3±6岁。所用评估工具包括简易精神状态检查量表（Mini Mental State Examination）、老年抑郁量表（Geriatric Depression Scale）、国际体力活动问卷（International Physical Activity Questionnaire）、计时起立行走试验（Timed Up and Go test）、握力测力计以及用于检测大肌群（肩、肘、髋屈肌、膝伸肌及踝背屈肌）的便携式测力计。 研究结果：经计时起立行走试验评估的功能移动能力水平与所有受试肌群的肌力减退症均呈显著负相关，其中以膝伸肌的相关性最为显著（r=-0.65）。 结论：本研究发现，机构养老老年人的肌肉力量（尤以膝伸肌力量）与功能移动能力之间存在显著负相关。数据表明，肌肉力量越强，完成该功能移动能力测试的耗时越短，提示其在该测试中的表现更佳。