《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2023, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (6): 646-653.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2023.06.004

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Relationship between lower limb muscle strength and walk speed in community dwelling older adults: the chain mediating role of flexibility and dynamic balance

TAN Xiaohuan1a, JIANG Guiping1a,2, HUANG Xinyi1b, WANG Dandan3, ZHANG Lei1a, BU Qingguo1a, WU Xueping1a()   

  1. 1. a. School of Physical Education; b. School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
    2. School of Physical Education, Harbin University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, China
    3. Department of Physical Education, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
  • Received:2022-09-13 Revised:2023-03-15 Published:2023-06-25 Online:2023-07-14
  • Contact: WU Xueping, E-mail: wuxueping@sus.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Overseas High-level Talents at Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learning(TP2020063)

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the relationship between lower limb muscle strength and walking speed in older adults, and to analyze the mediating role of flexibility and dynamic balance.
Methods From November to December, 2021, a total of 155 older adults at the Shanghai Senior Sports and Health Home were included. Their basic health information was collected, and the lower limb muscle strength, flexibility, dynamic balance and walking speed were tested. A mediated effects analysis was conducted.
Results There was a pairwise correlation among lower limb muscle strength, flexibility, dynamic balance and walking speed in older adults (r > 0.210, P < 0.01). In the mediated effects model, after controlling for age and gender, lower limb muscle strength did not directly predict walking speed in older adults (β = 0.029, P = 0.699), however, lower limb muscle strength could influence walking speed through the partial mediation of dynamic balance (effect = 0.0130, 95% CI 0.0073~0.0197) and the chain mediation of lower flexibility and dynamic balance (effect = 0.0019, 95% CI 0.0003~0.0043).
Conclusion Lower limb muscle strength can indirectly affect walking speed in older adults through the mediators of flexibility and dynamic balance, or the dynamic balance alone.

Key words: muscle strength, walking speed, flexibility, dynamic balance, older adults

CLC Number: