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Lower Body Functional Test Performance Varies Based on Patient Demographics
Devin K Kelly1, Amelia S Bruce Leicht2, Xavier D Thompson3
1Orthopedics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.
Background And Aim:
The utility of precise and instrumented musculoskeletal performance tests is essential to characterize musculoskeletal function during physical activity. Variation in these tests based on common patient demographics warrants consideration when using test results to counsel and advise physically active people. This study aimed to compare isolated muscle strength and functional performance outcomes by sex (male, female), age (late-stage adolescents: 18-21 years; adults: 22-34 years), and activity level (Tegner Activity Scale {TAS}: TAS ≥7, TAS <7). We hypothesized that males, adults, and individuals with higher activity levels would outperform their dichotomous pair.
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 185 healthy participants (sex: 112 female, 73 male; age: 21±3 years; height: 173±10 cm; mass: 71±12 kg) with no history of lower extremity surgery and no history of lower extremity injury within the previous six months participated in this study. Participants completed isokinetic knee extension/flexion at 90°/s and 180°/s, isometric knee extension/flexion at 90° of knee flexion, the single-leg hop for distance, the triple hop for distance, and the 6-m timed hop.
Results:
Males, adults, and participants with higher activity levels were stronger than females, late-stage adolescents, and participants with lower activity levels across all isolated muscle strength tests (p<0.05). Males, adults, and participants with higher activity levels jumped farther and faster than females, late-stage adolescents, and participants with lower activity levels for all hop tests except the triple hop for distance.
Conclusion:
Males, adults, and participants with higher activity levels consistently outperformed females, late-stage adolescents, and participants with lower activity levels, highlighting differences in performance by sex, age, and activity level. These findings suggest that personalization should be considered when using musculoskeletal performance tests to make important healthcare decisions during recovery from injury and/or surgery.
