TY - JOUR
T1 - Racial differences in muscle strength in disabled older women
AU - Rantanen, Taina
AU - Guralnik, Jack M.
AU - Leveille, Suzanne
AU - Izmirlian, Grant
AU - Hirsch, Rosemarie
AU - Simonsick, Eleanor
AU - Ling, Shari
AU - Fried, Linda P.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2018 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 1998
Y1 - 1998
N2 - This study examines racial differences in muscle strength, and associations of muscle strength to level of PhYSical activity and severity of disability, among a community sample of 254 black and 665 white, moderately to severely disabled women aged 65 and older. Potential confounders that were adjusted for in the models included age, body weight and height, joint pain, number of chronic conditions, and socioeconomic status. Hand grip, hip flexion, and knee extension forces were measured using portable hand-held dynamometers in the participants' homes. Hand grip strength was measured as the maximal isometric force. Hip flexion and knee extension forces were measured as the greatest force the tester had to apply to break the isometric contraction. A declining strength gradient was observed with increasing severity of disability and for decreasing level of physical activity in both races. At equal levels of disability or physical activity, blacks had better hand grip and hip flexion strength, but knee extension strength did not differ by race. The greater hand grip and hip flexion strength found in black women may be related to their greater muscle mass and known racial differences in body dimensions. No consistent racial differences were observed in the relationship between physical activity and muscle strength, or muscle strength and disability, suggesting that the role of muscle strength in the disablement process does not differ between races. Physical activity and exercise programs may be feasible ways to prevent worsening of disability in blacks and whites.
AB - This study examines racial differences in muscle strength, and associations of muscle strength to level of PhYSical activity and severity of disability, among a community sample of 254 black and 665 white, moderately to severely disabled women aged 65 and older. Potential confounders that were adjusted for in the models included age, body weight and height, joint pain, number of chronic conditions, and socioeconomic status. Hand grip, hip flexion, and knee extension forces were measured using portable hand-held dynamometers in the participants' homes. Hand grip strength was measured as the maximal isometric force. Hip flexion and knee extension forces were measured as the greatest force the tester had to apply to break the isometric contraction. A declining strength gradient was observed with increasing severity of disability and for decreasing level of physical activity in both races. At equal levels of disability or physical activity, blacks had better hand grip and hip flexion strength, but knee extension strength did not differ by race. The greater hand grip and hip flexion strength found in black women may be related to their greater muscle mass and known racial differences in body dimensions. No consistent racial differences were observed in the relationship between physical activity and muscle strength, or muscle strength and disability, suggesting that the role of muscle strength in the disablement process does not differ between races. Physical activity and exercise programs may be feasible ways to prevent worsening of disability in blacks and whites.
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U2 - 10.1093/gerona/53A.5.B355
DO - 10.1093/gerona/53A.5.B355
M3 - Article
C2 - 9754133
AN - SCOPUS:0032407526
SN - 1079-5006
VL - 53
SP - B355-B361
JO - Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
JF - Journals of Gerontology - Series A Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
IS - 5
ER -