Early reduction in toe flexor strength is associated with physical activity in elderly men

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Muscle strength declines with age, impacting mobility and independence in elderly populations.
• Toe flexor strength is a critical component of balance and gait, yet it is often overlooked in strength assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare toe flexor, hand grip, and knee extensor strength between young and elderly men.
• To investigate the relationship between toe flexor strength and physical activity levels in elderly men.

Main Methods:

• Strength measurements included toe flexor, hand grip, and knee extensor.
• Physical activity and inactivity were assessed via questionnaire in young (n=155) and elderly (n=60) men.

Main Results:

• Elderly men exhibited significantly lower strength across all measured parameters compared to young men.
• Toe flexor strength showed a greater relative reduction in the elderly group compared to hand grip and knee extensor strength.
• Toe flexor strength in elderly men correlated positively with time spent standing/walking.

Conclusions:

• Age-related decline in toe flexor strength is more pronounced than in hand grip or knee extensor strength.
• Early identification of reduced toe flexor strength may indicate a risk for decreased physical activity in elderly men.