Muscle force and range of motion as predictors of function in older adults

Background and Purpose. Musculoskeletal impairments: and functional limitat ions are linked to disability in older adults. The purposes of this study w ere to identify the extremity musculoskeletal impairments that best predict functional limitations in older adults and to assess the validity of measu rements obtained for the Physical Performance Test (PPT) as a predictor of disability. Subjects and Methods. Eight-one older adults residing in indepe ndent and dependent care facilities were tested for extremity muscle for cc , range of motion, and function. Data were analyzed using multiple regressi on analysis to identify extremity impairments: that predicted function scor es and logistic regression analysis to determine whether PPT scores predict ed subjects' living situation as dependent versus independent. Results, Sub ject age, lower-extremity muscle force, and lower-extremity range of motion explained 77% of the variance in function as measured by the PPT. Results differed when analysis was done by the subjects' living situation, with a h igher percentage of the variance in function scores explained by musculoske letal measures for tie dependent living group as compared with the independ ent living group. Conclusion and Discussion, Extremity musculoskeletal impa irments have a strong relationship to function, especially in older adults living in dependent care settings. The results of this study can be used to design interventions to address the musculoskeletal disorders most related to function in the older population.