Normative data for tests of neuromuscular performance and DXA-derived lean body mass and fat mass in pre-pubertal children.

Aim: To present gender-specific normative data on estimates of neuromuscular performance, such as muscle strength, vertical jump and standing unilateral balance, in pre-pubertal children.

Methods: Lean body mass (kg) and fat mass (%) were estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 246 boys and 190 girls aged 6-12 years in Tanner stages 1 and 2. Isokinetic concentric peak torque at 60 and 180°/sec of the right knee extensors, and flexors were evaluated by a computerized dynamometer.

The physiotherapy clinical outcome variables scale predicts length of hospital stay, discharge destination and future home facility in the acute comprehensive stroke unit.

Objective: The aims of this study were: to follow the course of recovery of motor function following acute stroke, as assessed by the Physiotherapy Clinical Outcome Variables Scale (COVS), and; to investigate the ability of this instrument to predict length of hospital stay, discharge destination and future home facility.

Methods: In this prospective longitudinal study, COVS was registered at admission and discharge from an acute stroke unit and at 3 months post-stroke onset.

Subjects: Sixty subjects were recruited consecutively from a sample of patients after first-ever acute stroke, and of these, 50 received follow-up assessment.

Falls among dizzy patients in primary healthcare: an intervention study with control group.

The objective of this study is to investigate whether vestibular rehabilitation can improve balance, reduce self-perceived handicap because of dizziness and, if possible, reduce falls among dizzy patients in primary healthcare. The study also finds out which of the balance measures and measure of self-perceived handicap, if any, predicted the risk of falls. The design of this study is an intervention study with control group.

Dizziness among patients with whiplash-associated disorder: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate whether vestibular rehabilitation for patients with whiplash-associated disorder and dizziness had any effect on balance measures and self-perceived handicap.

Design: Randomized, controlled trial.

Subjects: Twenty-nine patients, 20 women and 9 men, age range 22-76 years.

The relation between previous fractures and physical performance in elderly women.

Objective: To examine the association between previous fracture and different aspects of physical performance.

Design: Population-based retrospective study.

Setting: Orthopaedic research department.

Clinical history and biologic age predicted falls better than objective functional tests.

Objective: Fall risk assessment is important because the consequences, such as a fracture, may be devastating. The objective of this study was to find the test or tests that best predicted falls in a population-based sample of elderly women.

Study Design And Setting: The fall-predictive ability of a questionnaire, a subjective estimate of biologic age and objective functional tests (gait, balance [Romberg and sway test], thigh muscle strength, and visual acuity) were compared in 984 randomly selected women, all 75 years of age.

Bone mass cannot be predicted by estimations of frailty in elderly ambulatory women.

Background/methods: High biological age, or frailty, a possible risk factor for fragility fracture, and its relation to known risk factors for fracture (low bone mineral density (BMD), low muscle strength, poor gait performance and poor balance, previous falls, previous fractures and future risk of falls) were investigated in 993 randomly selected 75-year-old women. Frailty, which has no accepted definition, was here defined as a subjective immediate impression of an individual's general health appearance and was transferred into an arbitrary scale. 993 individuals were scored by at least one of four observers.