Thirty-second chair stand test in older adults with chronic health conditions is associated with lower limb oxygen extraction capacity.

Abstract

Background: The 30-s chair stand test (CS-30) is a well-known measure of muscle strength in older adults. However, factors other than muscle strength may also be involved in older adults with chronic health conditions who require support and care in daily living.

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that the CS-30 in older adults with chronic health conditions is associated with lower limb muscle oxygen extraction capacity.

Methods: Twenty-seven older adults with chronic health conditions (those who needed support and care in daily living because of stroke, musculoskeletal disease, etc.) were recruited. Tissue and percutaneous oxygen saturations of the right vastus lateralis muscle were measured during CS-30 measurements, and muscle oxygen extraction rate (MOER) was calculated. Knee extension strength, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), and phase angle (PhA) were measured. In a multiple regression analysis with CS-30 as the dependent variable, results were calculated for model 1 with SMI, PhA, and ΔMOER as independent variables and model 2 with knee extension muscle strength added to model 1.

Results: Phase angle (model 1, β = 0.46, p = .014; model 2, β = 0.46, p = .016) and ΔMOER (model 1, β = 0.39, p = .032; model 2, β = 0.40, p = .039) were significantly associated in both models. Adjusted R² was 0.26 (Model 1) and 0.23 (Model 2).

Conclusion: The CS-30 in older adults with chronic health conditions may be related to muscle oxygen extraction capacity. This indicates that CS-30 also considers lower limb endurance assessment in this population.