Power scores during sit-to-stand motion may predict frailty in elderly with cardiometabolic disease

In older persons with cardiometabolic illness, the speed and power ratings obtained during the sit-to-stand motion are indicative of fragility, says an article published in BMC Geriatrics.

Although sarcopenia and frailty are assessed by physical performance tests of the lower extremities, little is known about the processes by which the ground reaction force (GRF) characteristics recorded during sit-to-stand motion impact the frailty state in older persons. The goal of this study by Yuji Murao and colleagues was to investigate the relationship between GRF characteristics during a sit-to-stand action and the prevalence of frailty in older persons.

This long-term research assessed 319 outpatients with cardiometabolic illnesses who were under the age of 65. A motor function analyzer was used to test the GRF parameters and determine the power, speed, and balance scores. The Kihon Checklist (KCL) and the modified Cardiovascular Health Study (mCHS) were used to identify frailty. Multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent relationships between scores and frailty indicators. After controlling for confounders, the association between power and speed scores and the incidence of frailty was investigated using Cox regression analysis.

The key findings of this study were:

1. The power and speed scores were linked with frailty according to the mCHS criteria and KCL criteria at baseline, according to logistic regression models corrected for variables.

2. The area under the curve values of the power and speed scores for distinguishing mCHS-defined frailty were 0.72 and 0.73, according to receiver operating characteristic studies.

3. After correcting for variables, the Cox regression analysis revealed that the speed score predicted the incidence of frailty as defined by the mCHS and the KCL, whereas the power score was linked to the incidence of frailty as defined by the KCL.

Further research is required to determine whether exercise may enhance the GRF parameters or whether changes in these parameters are linked to an improvement in frailty status.

Reference:

Murao, Y., Ishikawa, J., Tamura, Y. et al. Association between physical performance during sit-to-stand motion and frailty in older adults with cardiometabolic diseases: a cross-sectional, longitudinal study. BMC Geriatr 23, 337 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04011-z