Power During Functional Tasks in Older Adults

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
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.

Detailed Description
-----------------
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.

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

Conditions
-----------------
Aging

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Diagnostic Test: Muscle function test


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
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

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 20 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Older adults<br>Older adults aged >65 years | Diagnostic Test: Muscle function test<br>* Body measurements, power and strength tests of the knee extensor muscle, handgrip strength, functional capacity tests, objective measurement of physical activity (subgroup of older adults, n=50)<br>|
| Young group<br>Younger adults between the age of 20 and 40 years | Diagnostic Test: Muscle function test<br>* Body measurements, power and strength tests of the knee extensor muscle, handgrip strength, functional capacity tests, objective measurement of physical activity (subgroup of older adults, n=50)<br>|
| Middle-aged group 1<br>Adults between the age of 40 and 55 years | Diagnostic Test: Muscle function test<br>* Body measurements, power and strength tests of the knee extensor muscle, handgrip strength, functional capacity tests, objective measurement of physical activity (subgroup of older adults, n=50)<br>|
| Middle-aged group 2<br>Adults between the age of 55 and 65 years | Diagnostic Test: Muscle function test<br>* Body measurements, power and strength tests of the knee extensor muscle, handgrip strength, functional capacity tests, objective measurement of physical activity (subgroup of older adults, n=50)<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lower limb muscle power during a stair climb test | The power (watt) needed to perform stair climbing is calculated using a 3D accelerometer (DynaPort MoveTest, McRoberts), worn at the back of the participant | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| Lower limb muscle power during a sit-to-stand test | The power (watt) needed to perform 5 sit-to-stand transitions and a 30 sec. sit-to-stand test is calculated using a 3D accelerometer (DynaPort MoveTest, McRoberts), worn at the back of the participant | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| Reliability of power measurements measured with a 3D accelerometer | Reliability of power measurements (watt) measured with a 3D accelerometer (DynaPort MoveTest, McRoberts) worn during functional activities (stair climbing, sit-to-stand test) three times within a period of 2 weeks | 1 test moment of approximately 30 minutes, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| Rate of power (force-velocity) development | Participants perform a test protocol on a Biodex Dynamometer. The rate of power development (watt/s) is defined as the linear slope of the power-time curve and is measured from the onset of movement till peak power. | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| Handgrip strength | Handgrip strength (kg) evaluated with a Jamar dynamometer | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| Jumping height | Jumping height (in cm) measured during a standardized jump test | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| Physical activity | Objective measurement of physical activity in a subgroup of older participants (n=50) by means of accelerometry | 1 week | 
| Number of steps/stairs a day | Objective measurement of physical activity in a subgroup of older participants (n=50) by means of accelerometry | 1 week | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Number of repetitions during a 30s sit-to-stand test | Number of complete sit-to-stand transitions in 30 sec. | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| 6min walk distance | The walk distance (in m) covered in 6 min. | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| Balance | Number of seconds a participant can hold a tandem stand, a semi-tandem stand or with the feet together | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| Maximal gait speed | The average speed to walk 3m as fast as possible (in m/s) | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| Usual gait speed | The average speed to walk 4m at a usual pace (in m/s) | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| Maximal isometric strength | Maximal strength (Nm) is measured by means of unilateral isometric knee-extensor tests on a Biodex Dynamometer | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 
| Maximal isokinetic strength | Maximal strength (Nm) is measured by means of unilateral isokinetic knee-extensor tests on a Biodex Dynamometer | 1 test moment of approximately 1 hour, planned between September 2019 and July 2020 | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
Muscle Power, Functional capacity