مقايسه عملكرد حركتي، گشتاور و نرخ توسعه گشتاور مفاصل اندام تحتاني در سالمندان با و بدون سابقه سقوط

Comparison of Functional Performance, Joint Torque an‎d Rate of Torque Development in the Lower Limbs of Older Adults with an‎d Without a History of Falls

آسيب شناسي و حركات اصلاحي

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare lower-limb motor performance, muscle torque, an‎d rate of torque development (RTD) between older adults with an‎d without a history of falls. Methods: This descriptive–cross-sectional study was conducted on community-dwelling older men an‎d women aged 60 to 83 years. Thirty-five participants were purposefully an‎d conveniently selec‎ted an‎d divided into two groups—those with an‎d without a history of falls—based on their self-reported experience of at least one fall within the past 12 months. Descriptive characteristics of the participants showed that in the non-fall group, the mean age, height, weight, an‎d BMI were 66.5 ± 3.5 years, 1.64 ± 0.07 m, 72.5 ± 10.7 kg, an‎d 27.02 ± 3.8 kg/m², respectively; while in the fall group, these values were 67.3 ± 6.7 years, 1.57 ± 0.09 m, 72.03 ± 14.9 kg, an‎d 29.14 ± 4.5 kg/m², respectively. Motor performance was eva‎luated using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test. Maximum voluntary torque an‎d RTD of the hip (flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors), knee (flexors, extensors), an‎d ankle (dorsiflexors, plantar flexors) muscles were measured using a Biodex System 3 Pro isometric dynamometer, an‎d all torque values were normalized to body weight. Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: The results showed no significant difference in the total SPPB score between the two groups. However, significant differences were observed in certain muscular parameters. Older adults without a history of falls exhibited greater torque in the hip flexors an‎d ankle dorsiflexors. Moreover, the rate of torque development in the knee extensors an‎d ankle dorsiflexors was significantly higher in this group. Although other muscles also showed higher mean values in the non-fall group, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings suggest that relative weakness in explosive strength an‎d torque of key lower-limb muscles—particularly the knee extensors an‎d ankle dorsiflexors—may be associated with a history of falls in older adults. Therefore, strengthening an‎d power-oriented training for these muscles are recommended in rehabilitation an‎d fall-prevention programs. Additionally, the lack of significant difference in the overall SPPB score indicates that specific indicators such as RTD may provide greater sensitivity in identifying older adults at risk of falling.

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