Comparison of quadriceps setting strength and knee extension strength tests to evaluate lower limb muscle strength based on health-related physical fitness values in elderly people

• Published in: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine Vol. 6; no. 1; p. e000753
• Main Authors: Ito, Yuki, Aoki, Takumi, Sato, Takeru, Oishi, Kan, Ishii, Kojiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.01.2020; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Age; Body mass index; elderly people; Legs; Muscle strength; Older people; Physical fitness; Physical fitness tests; Short Report; strength isometric isokinetic; Walking; Japan; elderly people; strength isometric isokinetic; physical fitness
• ISSN: 2055-7647; 2055-7647
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000753

ObjectiveConventionally, knee extension strength is often used as the indicator for lower limb muscle strength; however, several recent studies have also used quadriceps setting strength. This study aimed to investigate and compare the association of quadriceps setting and knee extension strength with health-related physical fitness.MethodsWe evaluated quadriceps setting strength and isometric knee extension strength in 75 elderly subjects (mean age, 76.8±5.3 years) to determine their lower limb muscle strength. Health-related physical fitness was evaluated using the physical fitness test advocated by the Ministry of Education and Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan. The test consists of the following components: grip strength, sit-up, sit and reach, one leg standing with eyes open, 10 m obstacle walk and 6 min walk.ResultsWhen adjusted for age, sex and body mass index, quadriceps setting strength was significantly correlated with grip strength, number of sit-ups, sit and reach distance, 10 m obstacle walking time and 6 min walking distance. In contrast, knee extension strength was associated only with grip strength and number of sit-ups.ConclusionMore health-related physical fitness parameters with quadriceps setting strength than knee extension strength. Quadriceps setting strength may be superior to knee extension strength as a predictor of health-related physical fitness.