Muscle thickness contribution to sit-to-stand ability in institutionalized older adults

Background: Ultrasound is a low-cost, safe and accessible tool to use on muscle mass assessment. The relations between muscle thickness and lower limb function have not been investigated in institutionalized elderly people. Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the associations among sit-to-stand capacity, ultrasound-measured rectus femoris muscle thickness, hand grip strength and anthropometrics in a population of institutionalized older adults. Methods: Twelve older adults (nine women and three men, mean age ± SD 86 ± 7 years, body mass index 24 ± 3 kg/m) participated in this cross-sectional study. Sit-to-stand capacity using five-repetition sit-to-stand test, rectus femoris muscle thickness using B-mode ultrasonography, handgrip and anthropometric were measured. The relationships of the variables were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Significant bivariate correlations were found between rectus femoris muscle thickness and sit-to-stand test (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed associations between rectus femoris muscle thickness and sit-to-stand test, after adjusting by body mass index and age (p < 0.0001). Discussion: Rectus femoris thickness in contraction adjusted by body mass index and age was predictors of physical performance. The independent variables shared 78.6% of variance in the sit-to-stand test. Conclusions: Rectus femoris muscle thickness measured with ultrasonography, body mass index and age could explain functionality in institutionalized older adults measured by five-repetition sit-to-stand test.