Maximal step-up height as a simple and relevant health indicator: a study of leg muscle strength and the associations to age, anthropometric variables, aerobic fitness and physical function

      

    Posted on August 25, 2013 by Stone Hearth News

Br J Sports Med. 2013 Aug 21. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-092577. [Epub ahead of print]

  Maximal step-up height as a simple and relevant health indicator: a study of leg muscle strength and the associations to age, anthropometric variables, aerobic fitness and physical function.

 Nyberg LA, Hellénius ML, Wändell P, Kowalski J, Sundberg CJ. Source: Centre of Family Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

 Abstract

BACKGROUND:

 Low muscle strength is related to an increased risk for several chronic diseases. Increased muscle strength improves daily function and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE:

 To measure maximal step-up height, an assessment of leg strength and function, and its association to age, anthropometric variables, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2-max) and self-reported physical function before and after a physical activity program.

 METHODS:

 Female patients (n=178, 22-83 years) with musculoskeletal disorders, metabolic risk factors and other chronic diseases were recruited from primary care. Maximal step-up height (standardised step-up without a kick-off with the floor foot), anthropometric variables, VO2-max and self-reported physical function (Short Form 36 (SF-36)) were assessed before and after a 3-month group training intervention programme. Associations between maximal step-up height and other variables were examined using univariate and multivariate methods.

 RESULTS:

 At baseline and after intervention, maximal step-up height was negatively correlated to age, waist circumference and body weight and positively correlated to VO2-max, self-reported physical function and height. Furthermore, maximal step-up height correlated to training intensity at follow-up. Variations in changes in maximal step-up height were significantly explained by changes in waist circumference and physical function, regardless of age and changes in VO2-max. Maximal step-up height below 24 cm discriminated patients with self-reported severe limitation in physical function.

CONCLUSIONS:

Maximal step-up height, assessed simply with a standardised step-up test, may function as a relevant indicator of health since it correlated negatively to the metabolic risk factors, waist circumference, body weight and age, and positively to VO2-max and physical function.

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