Association Between Free-Living Sit-to-Stand Transition Characteristics, and Lower-Extremity Performance, Fear of Falling, and Stair Negotiation Difficulties Among Community-Dwelling 75 to 85-Year-Old Adults

Abstract
Background Good sit-to-stand (STS) performance is an important factor in maintaining functional independence. This study investigated whether free-living STS transition volume and intensity, assessed by a thigh-worn accelerometer, is associated with characteristics related to functional independence. Methods Free-living thigh-worn accelerometry was recorded continuously for 3–7 days in a population-based sample of 75-, 80-, and 85-year-old community-dwelling people (479 participants; women n = 287, men n = 192). The records were used to evaluate the number and intensity (angular velocity of the STS phase) of STS transitions. Associations with short physical performance battery (SPPB), 5-times-sit-to-stand test (5×STS), isometric knee extension force, self-reported fear of falls, and self-reported difficulty in negotiating stairs were also assessed. Results The number of STS transitions, mean and maximal angular velocity were lower in older age groups (p < .05). All variables were higher in men than in women (p < .001) and were positively associated with SPPB total points, knee extension force (r ranged from 0.18 to 0.39, all p < .001) and negatively associated with 5×STS (r = −0.13 – −0.24, all p < .05), lower extremity functional limitations (p < .01), fear of falls (p < .01), and stair negotiation difficulties (p < .01). Conclusions Free-living STS characteristics were related to lower-extremity performance, lower extremity functional limitations, self-reported fear of falls, and stair negotiation difficulties, which can be a sensitive indicator of impending functional decline. Moreover, STS transitions may provide an indicator of adequacy of lower-limb muscle strength among older individuals.
Main Authors
Format
Articles Research article
Published
2022
Series
Subjects
Publication in research information system
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
The permanent address of the publication
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202205092582Käytä tätä linkitykseen.
Review status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1079-5006
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glac071
Language
English
Published in
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Citation
  • Löppönen, A., Karavirta, L., Koivunen, K., Portegijs, E., Rantanen, T., Finni, T., Delecluse, C., Van Roie, E., & Rantalainen, T. (2022). Association Between Free-Living Sit-to-Stand Transition Characteristics, and Lower-Extremity Performance, Fear of Falling, and Stair Negotiation Difficulties Among Community-Dwelling 75 to 85-Year-Old Adults. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 77(8), 1644-1653. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glac071
License
CC BY 4.0Open Access
Funder(s)
Research Council of Finland
European Commission
Research Council of Finland
Research Council of Finland
Funding program(s)
Research costs of Academy Research Fellow, AoF
ERC European Research Council, H2020
Academy Research Fellow, AoF
Academy Project, AoF
Akatemiatutkijan tutkimuskulut, SA
ERC European Research Council, H2020
Akatemiatutkija, SA
Akatemiahanke, SA
Research Council of FinlandEuropean CommissionEuropean research council
Additional information about funding
The AGNES-study was financially supported by an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council (Grant 693045 to T.R.), the Academy of Finland (Grant 310526 to T.R.). This work was furthermore supported by the Academy Research Fellow (Academy of Finland Grant 321336 and 328818 to Ti.R.), the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture (Grant to E.P.), and the Research Foundation Flanders, Belgium (senior postdoctoral fellowship 12Z5720N to E.V.R.).
Copyright© 2022 the Authors

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