Peak expiratory flow mediates the relationship between handgrip strength and timed up and go performance in elderly women, but not men

Authors

  • Raphael Mendes Ritti-Dias Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Gabriel Grizzo Cucato Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Fábio Gazelato de Mello Franco Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Maysa Seabra Cendoroglo Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Fábio Nasri Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Maria Luiza Monteiro-Costa Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • José Antonio Maluf de Carvalho Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
  • Luciana Diniz Nagem Janot de Matos Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2016(09)06

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to verify if there is sex difference in the associations among handgrip strength, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and timed up and go (TUG) test results. METHODS: The sample included 288 consecutive elderly men (n=93) and women (n=195). Functional capacity was measured using the TUG test, and muscle strength was measured based on handgrip. Moreover, as a measure of current health status, PEF was evaluated. Linear regression procedures were performed to analyze the relationships between handgrip and both PEF and TUG test results, with adjustment for confounders, and to identify the possible mediating role of PEF in the association between handgrip strength and TUG test results. RESULTS: In men, handgrip strength was associated with both PEF and TUG performance (p<0.01). After adjustment for PEF, the relationship between handgrip strength and TUG performance remained significant. In women, handgrip strength was also associated with both PEF and TUG performance (p<0.01). However, after adjustment for PEF, the relationship between handgrip strength and TUG performance was no longer significant. CONCLUSION: Mobility in the elderly is sex dependent. In particular, PEF mediates the relationship between handgrip strength and TUG performance in women, but not in men.

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Published

2016-09-01

Issue

Section

Clinical Sciences

How to Cite

Ritti-Dias, R. M., Cucato, G. G., de Mello Franco, F. G., Cendoroglo, M. S., Nasri, F., Monteiro-Costa, M. L., de Carvalho, J. A. M., & de Matos, L. D. N. J. (2016). Peak expiratory flow mediates the relationship between handgrip strength and timed up and go performance in elderly women, but not men . Clinics, 71(9), 517-520. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2016(09)06