Age differences in upper extremity joint moments and strength during a laboratory-based tether-release forward fall arrest in older women.

Age-related declines in upper extremity muscle strength may affect an older adult's ability to land and control a simulated forward fall impact. The role of individual upper extremity joints during a forward fall impact has not been examined. The purpose was to evaluate the age differences in upper extremity joint moment contributions during a simulated forward fall and upper extremity muscle strength in older women.

Does functional performance and upper body strength predict upper extremity reaction and movement time in older women?

Background: Reaction time to initiate upper limb movement and movement time to place hands on the landing surface may be important factors in forward fall landing and impact, contributing to injury reduction. The aim was to investigate the relationship of physical function and upper body strength to upper limb reaction and movement time in older female participants.

Methods: 75 female participants (72 ± 8 yrs) performed 5 arm response trials.

Does Fall Arrest Strategy Training Added to a Fall Prevention Programme Improve Balance, Strength, and Agility in Older Women? A Pilot Study.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a unique exercise programme (Fall Arrest Strategy Training, or FAST) on upper body strength, range of motion (ROM), and fall risk in older women. FAST was designed to improve upper body capacity to prevent injury when a fall cannot be avoided. A quasi-randomized site design included 71 older women (aged 67-95 y, mean age 83 years), who participated either in a standard fall prevention programme (Staying on Your Feet, or SOYF; =29) or in SOYF combined with FAST (=42).

Risk factors for falls in older adults with lower extremity arthritis: a conceptual framework of current knowledge and future directions.

Purpose: As the numbers of Canadians aged 65 years and over increases over the next 20 years, the prevalence of chronic conditions, including arthritis, will rise as will the number of falls. Although known fall-risk factors are associated with hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA), minimal research has evaluated fall and fracture risk and/or rates in this population. Thus, the purpose was to summarize research on fall and fracture risk in older adults with hip or knee OA and to develop a conceptual framework of fall-risk screening and assessment.

Cross-education for improving strength and mobility after distal radius fractures: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of cross-education (contralateral effect of unilateral strength training) during recovery from unilateral distal radius fractures on muscle strength, range of motion (ROM), and function.

Design: Randomized controlled trial (26-wk follow-up).

Setting: Hospital, orthopedic fracture clinic.

Former premenarcheal gymnasts exhibit site-specific skeletal benefits in adulthood after long-term retirement.

Young female gymnasts have greater bone strength compared to controls; although possibly due to selection into gymnastics, it is thought that their loading activity during growth increases their bone mass, influencing both bone geometry and architecture. If such bone mass and geometric adaptations are maintained, this may potentially decrease the risk of osteoporosis and risk of fracture later in life. However, there is limited evidence of the persisting benefit of gymnastic exercise during growth on adult bone geometric parameters.

Higher premenarcheal bone mass in elite gymnasts is maintained into young adulthood after long-term retirement from sport: a 14-year follow-up.

Sports that impact-load the skeleton during childhood and adolescence increase determinants of bone strength such as bone mineral content and density; however, it is unclear if this benefit is maintained after retirement from the sport. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the previously reported higher bone mass in a group of premenarcheal gymnasts was still apparent 10 years after the cessation of participation and withdrawal of the gymnastics loading stimulus. In 1995, 30 gymnasts 8 to 15 years of age were measured and compared with 30 age-matched nongymnasts.

The effect of aquatic exercise and education on lowering fall risk in older adults with hip osteoarthritis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of aquatic exercise and education on fall risk factors in older adults with hip osteoarthritis (OA).

Method: Seventy-nine adults, 65 years of age or older with hip OA and at least 1 fall risk factor, were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: aquatics and education (AE; aquatic exercise twice a wk with once-a-wk group education), aquatics only (A; 2 wk aquatic exercise) and control (C; usual activity). Balance, falls efficacy, dual-task function, functional performance (chair stands), and walking performance were measured pre- and postintervention or control period.

The reliability and validity of handheld dynamometry for the measurement of lower-extremity muscle strength in older adults.

Lower-extremity muscle strength is important in predicting fall risk in older adults. Handheld dynamometry (HHD) is a tool used to measure isometric muscle strength in the older adult, but few studies have evaluated the utility of HHD for muscle groups beyond knee extension. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of HHD at the hip, knee, and ankle and to compare HHD strength values to other isometric dynamometry (ID) and to balance and recovery in older adults.

The relationship of intrinsic fall risk factors to a recent history of falling in older women with osteoporosis.

Study Design: Cross-sectional descriptive analysis investigating intrinsic fall risk factors in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Objective: To examine the relationships between history of recent falls and balance, pain, quality of life, function, posture, strength, and mobility.

Background: Women with osteoporosis who fall are at a high risk of fracture due to decreased bone strength.