Knee extensor power asymmetry is unrelated to functional mobility of older adults.

CONCLUSIONS: Knee extensor power asymmetry was unrelated to 400-m walk, stair ascent, and chair rise performance in older adults. Weak and strong limb powers were equally related to these functional measures, but a leftward shift of the power-mobility curve exists for the weak leg that may hinder clinical assessment if strength or power is measured on a single limb and symmetry is assumed. The greatest degree of knee extensor power asymmetry occurred at the fastest isokinetic velocity, which suggests high-speed muscle contractions may better differentiate laterality of function in older individuals.
PMID: 28797826 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Experimental Gerontology - August 7, 2017 Category: Geriatrics Authors: LaRoche DP, Villa MR, Bond CW, Cook SB Tags: Exp Gerontol Source Type: research