Citation

Uritani D, Fukumoto T, Matsumoto D, Shima M. J. Aging Phys. Act. 2016; 24(3): 459-464.

Affiliation

Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Kio University, Nara, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/japa.2015-0123

PMID

26796741

Abstract

Evaluating toe flexor strength may be an important method for predicting and preventing walking dysfunction and falls, particularly among older people. In this study, toe grip strength (TGS), functional reach (FR, a measure of dynamic balance), the timed up and go (TUG) test (a measure of functional ability), isometric knee extension strength (IKES), sex, age, weight, and height were analyzed among 665 healthy elderly Japanese people. Statistical analyses were used to assess the relationships between TGS and FR or TUG and to investigate whether TGS was independently associated with FR or TUG. Our results indicate that, among both men and women, TGS was associated with TUG, independent of age, height, weight, and IKES, but TGS was not associated with FR. These results may facilitate the development of strategies for improving functional mobility through physical therapy.

Language: en