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115878 - LMS and balance longitudinal JBMR revised 3 Jan 2017.pdf (655.33 kB)

Both baseline and change in lower limb muscle strength in younger women are independent predictors of balance in middle age: A 12-Year population-based prospective study

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Poor balance is a risk factor for falls and fracture in older adults, but little is known about modifiable factors affecting balance in younger women. This study aimed to examine whether lower limb muscle strength (LMS) in young women and changes in LMS are independent predictors of balance in middle age. This was an observational 10-year follow-up of 470 women aged 25 to 44 years at baseline who had previously participated in a 2-year population-based randomized controlled trial of osteoporosis education interventions. Linear regression was used to examine the association between baseline LMS (by dynamometer) and change in LMS over 12 years with balance at 12 years (timed up and go test [TUG], step test [ST], functional reach test [FRT], and lateral reach test [LRT]). LMS declined by a mean of 17.3 kg over 12 years. After adjustment for potential confounders, baseline and change in LMS were independently beneficially associated with TUG (β = -0.008 sec/kg, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.01 to -0.006, and β = -0.006 sec/kg, 95% CI -0.009 to -0.003 for baseline and change, respectively), FRT (β = 0.057 cm/kg, 95% CI 0.030 to 0.084, and β = 0.071 cm/kg, 95% CI 0.042 to 0.101, respectively), and LRT (β = 0.030 cm/kg, 95% CI 0.012 to 0.049, and β = 0.022 cm/kg, 95% CI 0.002 to 0.043, respectively) 12 years later. There was an association between baseline LMS and ST (β = 0.044 steps/kg, 95% CI 0.022 to 0.067) but not between change in LMS and ST. Among young women, greater LMS at baseline and slower decline over time are both associated with better balance in midlife. Analogous to the contributions of peak bone mass and bone loss to fracture risk in older adults, this suggests that both improvement of muscle strength in younger age and prevention of age-related loss of muscle strength could be potentially useful strategies to improve balance and reduce falls in later life.

History

Publication title

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research

Volume

32

Issue

6

Pagination

1201-1208

ISSN

0884-0431

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Amer Soc Bone & Mineral Res

Place of publication

2025 M St, N W, Ste 800, Washington, USA, Dc, 20036-3309

Rights statement

Copyright 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Wu, F., Callisaya, M., Wills, K., Laslett, L. L., Jones, G., Winzenberg, T., 2017. Both baseline and change in lower limb muscle strength in younger women are independent predictors of balance in middle age: A 12-Year population-based prospective study, Journal of bone and mineral research, 32(6), 1201-1208, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.3103. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Health related to ageing

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