Lower Limb Strength Profile in Elderly with Different Pathologies: Comparisons with Healthy Subjects

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Exercise Physiology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Sarcopenia and reduced muscle strength are prevalent in non-communicable chronic diseases among the elderly.
• Understanding how specific pathologies affect muscle strength is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of chronic diseases (liver/kidney transplantation, obesity) on lower limb muscle strength in the elderly.
• To determine if these effects differ between knee and ankle joints.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated maximal isometric and isokinetic muscle strength of the knee and ankle joints in 145 elderly individuals.
• Included groups of liver transplant recipients, kidney transplant recipients, elderly with obesity, and healthy controls.

Main Results:

• A significant interaction was found between measurement type and group for both absolute and relative strength.
• Elderly kidney transplant recipients exhibited the lowest absolute muscle strength.
• Elderly individuals with obesity showed the most significant deficit in relative muscle strength.

Conclusions:

• Obesity, liver transplantation, and kidney transplantation significantly alter the muscle strength profile in elderly individuals.
• Pathologies differentially affect absolute and relative lower limb muscle strength, with specific impacts on knee and ankle joints.