Lean, fast and strong: Determinants of functional performance in the elderly
Open accessAbstract
Background The current literature indicates that functional capacity is associated with physical performance and body composition measurements in older adults. However, it is not clear which tests can best explain the functional capacity in this population. This study aimed to investigate the physical performance and body composition determinants of functional capacity in older adults.Method Twenty-four older adults (66.4 ± 4.7y) undertook body composition (body fat and muscle), rate of torque development (0-50 and 0-200 ms); countermovement jump (height, power and impulse); leg-press and seated-leg-curl 5-repetition maximum; and functional-performance tests (Timed-up-and-go, stair ascent and stair descent).Findings Timed-up-and-go correlated with countermovement jump (height, R 2 = 0.303; power, R 2 = 0.198; and impulse, R 2 = 0.224) and 5-repetition maximum (seated-leg-curl, R 2 = 0.172). Stair ascent correlated with body fat (R 2 = 0.213), rate of torque development (0-50 ms/body fat, R 2 = 0.301; 0-200 ms, R 2 = 0.197; 0-200 ms/body fat, R 2 = 0.340), countermovement jump (height, R 2 = 0.325; power/body fat, R 2 = 0.413; impulse/body fat, R 2 = 0.422) and 5-repetiton maximum (leg-press/body fat, R 2 = 0.384; seated-leg-curl/body fat, R 2 = 0.341). Stair descent correlated with rate of torque development (0-50 ms/body fat, R 2 = 0.164; 0-200 ms, R 2 = 0.203; 0-200 ms/body fat, R 2 = 0.213), countermovement jump (height, R 2 = 0.458; power, R 2 = 0.212; power/body fat, R 2 = 0.358; impulse, R 2 = 0.218; impulse/body fat, R 2 = 0.369) and 5-repetition maximum (leg-press/body fat, R 2 = -0.227; seated-leg-curl/body fat, R 2 = 0.209; seated-leg-curl, R 2 = 0.181).Interpretation Higher body fat is associated with weaker stair ascent performance. An increase in the correlation coefficient was observed for the countermovement jump, rate of torque development, and 5-repetition maximum tests when normalized by body fat compared to the absolute values. Countermovement jump height presented the highest correlation to timed-up-and-go and stair descent, while impulse/body fat for stair ascent.
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All reported outcomes rely on the integration of several health and skill-related domains, thus the results may have been influenced by changes in rate of force development, maximal strength or a combination of both.
“All of the reported outcomes rely on the integration of several health and skill-related domains, 88 thus the results may have been in fl uenced by changes in rate of force development, maximal strength or a combination of both. 88 -90”
From High-velocity power training has similar effects to traditional resistance training for functional performance in older adults: a systematic review (2023) · cites this paper as [89]
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- Authors
- Orssatto, L. B. R., Bezerra, E. S., Schoenfeld, B. J., & Diefenthaeler, F.
- Affiliations
- Queensland University of Technology (AU)
- Lehman College (US)
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (BR)
- Corresponding author
- Diefenthaeler, Fernando
- Venue
- Clinical Biomechanics
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-08
- Volume
- 78
- Pages
- 105073
- ISSN
- 0268-0033 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3033134665
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 45
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3
- FWCI
- 2.86
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- figshare.com
- Locations
- Clinical Biomechanics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Frailty in Older Adults
- Keywords
- functional capacity, older adults, physical performance, body composition, fat mass, muscle mass, rate of torque development, countermovement jump, Timed Up and Go test, stair climbing, stair descent, leg press, functional performance tests, strength and power, agility, balance, walking speed, sarcopenia
- MeSH terms
- Physical Functional Performance, Adipose Tissue, Aged, Body Composition, Female, Humans, Male, Muscle, Skeletal, Torque, Muscle Strength
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