Investigating the association between intralimb strength ratio, interlimb strength and range of motion asymmetry index, and functional limitations with fall incidence among older adults: protocol for a prospective cohort study

The present study aims to identify the intralimb strength ratio, interlimb strength and range of motion asymmetry index in elderly individuals and then investigate the association between these asymmetry indices and functional limitations among older adults. 200 eligible elderly individuals will participate in this study. Muscle strength and range of motion will be assessed for eight lower limb muscle groups. The asymmetry of muscle strength and range of motion will be calculated. The variables of functional limitations, for example, falling, walking, static balance and dynamic balance status, will be evaluated. The significance of risk factors for fall incidence and functional limitations will be investigated using the multiple linear regression analysis, which will create a separate model with each of the strength and range of motion asymmetries variables. Predictive performance of strength and range of motion asymmetries for fall incidence and functional limitations will be conducted by the corresponding receiver-operating curve to define a cut-off for strength and range of motion asymmetries. This prospective cohort will provide important data on interlimb strength and range of motion asymmetry with functional limitation and fall incidence in elderlies. If successful, the potential benefits from reducing between-limb asymmetry in selected muscle strength or range of motion will be of high interest to the professionals and researchers who work with elderly adults. Finally, the holistic picture of the imbalances/asymmetries this cohort provides will potentially have implications for improving functional capacity and reducing fall incidence in the elderly population. Data are available on reasonable request. Once collected, the data will be available from the corresponding author on a reasonable request.