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Can the timed up and go test be used as a predictor of muscle strength in older adults?

¿Se puede utilizar la prueba de levantarse y andar como predictora de la fuerza muscular en personas mayores?

ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the timed up and go test (TUG) as a tool to evaluate muscle strength in community-dwelling older people. As a methodology, an observational, cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted. Data from 442 older people were analyzed, both women (71.7%) and men (28.3%). Ages ranged from 62- 104 years, with a mean of 80.85 (±8.047) years. TUG was used as a tool to evaluate muscle strength. Comparison and correlation analyses were performed to compare performance between the TUG and the chair stand test (CST) and between TUG and handgrip strength (HGS). Analysis of agreement between the diagnosis of low physical performance on TUG and the diagnosis of muscle weakness on CST and HGS was also performed. The predictive values were estimated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. The analyses showed a moderate direct proportional correlation between TUG and CST performance and low inversely proportional correlations between TUG and HGS performance and between CST and HGS (p<0.001). In the accuracy analyses, it was observed that TUG test could predict muscle strength in CST (S 34.4%; PPV 91.5%; NPV 26.1%; AUC=0.779; 95%CI 0.724-0.835; p<0.001) and handgrip dynamometry (S 44.2%; PPV 77.4%; NPV 67.2%; AUC=0.652; 95%CI 0.599-0.705; p<0.001). The Timed Up and Go test was able to satisfactorily indicate individuals with normal muscle strength in CST.

Keywords:
Muscle Strength; Aged; Geriatric Assessment; Physical Functional Performance

RESUMEN

Este estudio analizó el uso de la prueba de levantarse y andar (TUG) como una herramienta para evaluar la fuerza muscular en adultos mayores residentes en la comunidad. Como metodología, se trata de un estudio observacional, transversal y analítico. Se analizaron datos de 442 ancianos, del sexo femeninol(71,7%) y masculino (28,3%), de edad de entre 62 y 104 años, y edad media de 80,85 (±8,047) años. El instrumento TUG se utilizó para evaluar la fuerza muscular. Se realizaron análisis de comparación y correlación entre el rendimiento en TUG y en la prueba de sentarse y levantarse (SL), y entre TUG y la fuerza de agarre. También se realizaron análisis de concordancia entre el diagnóstico de bajo rendimiento físico en TUG y el diagnóstico de debilidad muscular en SL y fuerza de agarre. Los valores predictivos se trazaron utilizando la curva receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Hubo una correlación directamente proporcional moderada entre el rendimiento de TUG y de SL, y se encontraron correlaciones inversamente proporcionales bajas entre el rendimiento de TUG y la fuerza de agarre, así como entre SL y la fuerza de agarre (p<0,001). En los análisis de precisión se observó que TUG fue capaz de predecir la fuerza muscular en SL (S 34,4%; VPP 91,5%; VPN 26,1%; AUC=0,779; IC 95% 0,724-0,835; p<0,001) y en la dinamometría de agarre (S 44,2%; VPP 77,4%; VPN 67,2%; AUC=0,652; IC 95% 0,599-0,705; p<0,001). Se concluye que TUG fue capaz de indicar satisfactoriamente a los individuos con fuerza muscular normal en SL.

Palabras clave:
Fuerza Muscular; Anciano; Evaluación Geriátrica; Rendimiento Físico Funcional

RESUMO

Este estudo analisou o uso do timed up and go test (TUG) como ferramenta de avaliação da força muscular em idosos da comunidade. Como metodologia, foi realizado um estudo observacional, transversal e analítico. Foram analisados dados de 442 idosos, do sexo feminino (71,7%) e do masculino (28,3%), com idades entre 62 e 104 anos, e média de 80,85 (±8,047) anos. O TUG foi utilizado como instrumento de avaliação da força muscular. Foram realizadas análises de comparação e correlação entre o desempenho no TUG e no teste de sentar e levantar (TSL), e entre o TUG e a força de preensão manual. Também foram realizadas análises de concordância entre diagnóstico de baixo desempenho físico no TUG e diagnóstico de fraqueza muscular no TSL e na força de preensão manual. Os valores preditivos foram traçados por meio da curva receiver operating characteristic (ROC). As análises mostraram correlação diretamente proporcional moderada entre o desempenho no TUG e no TSL e correlações inversamente proporcionais baixas entre o desempenho no TUG e a força de preensão manual e entre o TSL e a força de preensão manual (p<0,001). Nas análises de acurácia, observou-se que o TUG apresentou capacidade de prever a força muscular no TSL (S 34,4%; VPP 91,5%; VPN 26,1%; AUC=0,779; 95% IC 0,724-0,835; p<0,001) e na dinamometria de preensão palmar (S 44,2%; VPP 77,4%; VPN 67,2%; AUC=0,652; 95% IC 0,599-0,705; p<0,001). Conclui-se que o TUG apresentou capacidade de indicar de forma satisfatória os indivíduos com força muscular normal no TSL.

Descritores:
Força Muscular; Idoso; Avaliação Geriátrica; Desempenho Físico Funcional

INTRODUCTION

It is estimated that muscle strength progressively decreases 10%-15% from the fifth to the seventh decades of life11. Orsatti FL, Dalanesi RC, Maestá N, Náhas EAP, Burini RC. Redução da força muscular está relacionada à perda muscular em mulheres acima de 40 anos. Rev Bras Cineantropom Desempenho Hum. 2011;13(1):36-42. doi: 10.5007/1980-0037.2011v13n1p36.
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), (22. Goodpaster BH, Park SW, Harris TB, Kritchevsky SB, Nevitt M, Schwartz AV, et al. The loss of skeletal muscle strength, mass, and quality in older adults: the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2006;61(10):1059-64. doi: 10.1093/gerona/61.10.1059.
https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/61.10.105...
. This reduction in muscle strength and mass can influence loss of autonomy33. Filippin LI, Miraglia F, Teixeira VNO, Boniatti MM. Timed Up and Go test as a sarcopenia screening tool in home-dwelling elderly persons. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2017;20(4):561-6. doi: 10.1590/1981-22562017020.170086.
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, risk of frailty44. Lins MEM, Marques APO, Leal MCC, Barros RLM. Risco de fragilidade em idosos comunitários assistidos na atenção básica de saúde e fatores associados. Saude Debate. 2019;43(121):520-9. doi: 10.1590/0103-1104201912118.
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, and sarcopenia55. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Baeyens JP, Bauer JM, Boirie Y, Cederholm T, Landi F, et al. Sarcopenia: European consensus on definition and diagnosis: report of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Age Ageing. 2010;39(4):412-23. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afq034.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afq034...
. Furthermore, it is known that reductions in muscle strength are more accurate predictors of mortality than changes in muscle mass66. Martinez BP, Gomes IB, Oliveira CS, Ramos IR, Rocha MDM, Forgiarini LA Jr, et al. Accuracy of the timed up and go test for predicting sarcopenia in elderly hospitalized patients. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2015;70(5):369-72. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2015(05)11.
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2015(05)...
.

With the reduction of muscle strength resulting from aging, the identification of clinical tools to track muscle strength deficits becomes essential for adequate decision-making in health, which aims to prevent disabling injuries that affect the quality of life of older people and the quality of care in health systems77. Liguori I, Russo G, Aran L, Bulli G, Curcio F, Della-Morte D, et al. Sarcopenia: assessment of disease burden and strategies to improve outcomes. Clin Interv Aging. 2018;13:913-27. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S149232.
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), (88. Valenzuela PL, Maffiuletti NA, Saner H, Schütz N, Rudin B, Nef T, et al. Isometric strength measures are superior to the timed up and go test for fall prediction in older adults: results from a prospective cohort study. Clin Interv Aging. 2020;15:2001-8. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S276828.
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due to complications that can lead to consequences such as falls, functional limitations99. Andrade LCA, Costa GLA, Diogenes LGB, Pimentel PHR. Timed Up and Go teste na avaliação do risco de quedas em idosos: uma revisão de literatura. Res Soc Dev. 2021;10(13):e321101321615. doi: 10.33448/rsd-v10i13.21615.
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i13.2161...
, hospitalizations, and mortality66. Martinez BP, Gomes IB, Oliveira CS, Ramos IR, Rocha MDM, Forgiarini LA Jr, et al. Accuracy of the timed up and go test for predicting sarcopenia in elderly hospitalized patients. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2015;70(5):369-72. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2015(05)11.
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2015(05)...
. Furthermore, this identification allows for diagnostic evaluation33. Filippin LI, Miraglia F, Teixeira VNO, Boniatti MM. Timed Up and Go test as a sarcopenia screening tool in home-dwelling elderly persons. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2017;20(4):561-6. doi: 10.1590/1981-22562017020.170086.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562017020...
, detection of specific early clinical interventions66. Martinez BP, Gomes IB, Oliveira CS, Ramos IR, Rocha MDM, Forgiarini LA Jr, et al. Accuracy of the timed up and go test for predicting sarcopenia in elderly hospitalized patients. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2015;70(5):369-72. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2015(05)11.
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2015(05)...
, and reduction of the costs of health services33. Filippin LI, Miraglia F, Teixeira VNO, Boniatti MM. Timed Up and Go test as a sarcopenia screening tool in home-dwelling elderly persons. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2017;20(4):561-6. doi: 10.1590/1981-22562017020.170086.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562017020...
.

In this context, the timed up and go test (TUG) is a reliable tool for evaluating functional mobility, also presenting a significant correlation with the risk of falls, fear of falling, and functional performance66. Martinez BP, Gomes IB, Oliveira CS, Ramos IR, Rocha MDM, Forgiarini LA Jr, et al. Accuracy of the timed up and go test for predicting sarcopenia in elderly hospitalized patients. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2015;70(5):369-72. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2015(05)11.
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2015(05)...
), (1010. Paula JA, Wamser EL, Gomes ARS, Valderramas SR, Cardoso Neto J, Schieferdecker MEM. Análise de métodos para detectar sarcopenia em idosas independentes da comunidade. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2016;19(2):235-46. doi: 10.1590/1809-98232016019.140233.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-98232016019...
. However, it is also a possible screening tool for sarcopenia, due to the possibility of evaluating muscle strength and speed in a single test. This use of TUG was analyzed by the study by Filippin et al. (33. Filippin LI, Miraglia F, Teixeira VNO, Boniatti MM. Timed Up and Go test as a sarcopenia screening tool in home-dwelling elderly persons. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2017;20(4):561-6. doi: 10.1590/1981-22562017020.170086.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562017020...
, in which they reported that the test presented adequate sensitivity (88.9%) to predict sarcopenia in older adults, as well as negative predictive value (93.2%) and a 0.66 area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and can be used as a screening tool.

Corroborating these results, Martinez et al. (66. Martinez BP, Gomes IB, Oliveira CS, Ramos IR, Rocha MDM, Forgiarini LA Jr, et al. Accuracy of the timed up and go test for predicting sarcopenia in elderly hospitalized patients. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2015;70(5):369-72. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2015(05)11.
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2015(05)...
observed that TUG presented 66.7% sensitivity, 88.7% specificity, and moderate accuracy (0.80; CI=0.66-0.94; p=0.001) for prediction of sarcopenia in older adults. Clegg et al. (1111. Clegg A, Barber S, Young J, Iliffe S, Forster A. The Home-based Older People's Exercise (HOPE) trial: a pilot randomised controlled trial of a home-based exercise intervention for older people with frailty. Age Ageing. 2014;43(5):687-95. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afu033.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu033...
used TUG as an indirect tool to evaluate muscle strength to stratify volume and training levels in an exercise protocol. Thus, such applications allow for expanding the use of TUG to evaluate muscle strength in older adults.

Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the use of TUG as a tool for assessing muscle strength in community-dwelling older adults, with the hypothesis that TUG would present discriminatory power to evaluate muscle strength.

METHODOLOGY

This is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and analytical study. The data were obtained by the retrospective analysis of the medical records of older adults of a Geriatrics and Gerontology center of the Brazilian Federal District Health Department (SES-DF).

The sample consisted of a database of older adults. Medical records were collected from November 2021 to February 2022. Individuals were older adults (aged ≥60), of both sexes, who could walk independently for at least 10 meters, followed simple verbal commands, and responded to the collection tools, evaluated by the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (1212. Neri AL, Ongaratto LL, Yassuda MS. Mini-Mental State Examination sentence writing among community-dwelling elderly adults in Brazil: text fluency and grammar complexity. Int Psychogeriatr. 2012;24(11):1732-7. doi: 10.1017/S104161021200097X.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S104161021200097...
. Older adults with severe sequelae of stroke, neurological diseases that prevented testing, needed a wheelchair or were bedridden, as well as those with severe cognitive impairment, evaluated by the clock drawing and verbal fluency tests1313. Montiel JM, Cecato JF, Bartholomeu D, Martinelli JE. Testes do desenho do relógio e de fluência verbal: contribuição diagnóstica para o Alzheimer. Psicol Teor Prat. 2014;16(1):169-80. doi: 10.15348/1980-6906/psicologia.v16n1p169-180.
https://doi.org/10.15348/1980-6906/psico...
, were excluded.

Sample estimation was performed using the G*Power 3.1 program and indicated the need for a sample of 381 older adults.

Sample characterization was performed based on the following covariates: age, sex, schooling level, marital status, family income, body mass index (BMI), presence of comorbidities, and self-report of falls in the previous six months. TUG was the dependent variable. Handgrip strength (HGS) and the chair stand test (CST) were the independent variables.

TUG was used as a tool to evaluate muscle strength. This test quantifies functional mobility in seconds by standing up from a standardized chair, walking a linear course of three meters, turning, and returning to the chair, sitting down again33. Filippin LI, Miraglia F, Teixeira VNO, Boniatti MM. Timed Up and Go test as a sarcopenia screening tool in home-dwelling elderly persons. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2017;20(4):561-6. doi: 10.1590/1981-22562017020.170086.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562017020...
. The reference points for low physical performance adopted were values ≥20 seconds1414. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyère O, Cederholm T, et al. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019;48(1):16-31. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy169.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy169...
.

HGS was evaluated using the Saehan® dynamometer in the dominant hand of each participant, following the recommendations of the European Consensus on Sarcopenia1515. Reis MM, Arantes PMM. Medida da força de preensão manual - validade e confiabilidade do dinamômetro saehan. Fisioter Pesqui. 2011;18(2):176-81. doi: 10.1590/s1809-29502011000200013.
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1809-2950201100...
), (1616. Porto JM, Nakaishi APM, Cangussu-Oliveira LM, Freire RC Jr, Spilla SB, Abreu DCC. Relationship between grip strength and global muscle strength in community-dwelling older people. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2019;82:273-8. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2019.03.005.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2019.0...
, which defines muscle weakness scores <27kg/F for men and <16kg/F for women1414. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyère O, Cederholm T, et al. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019;48(1):16-31. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy169.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy169...
.

CST is used in clinical practice to evaluate strength and resistance of lower limbs as a substitute for leg muscle strength, using the time required for a patient to stand up five times from a sitting position without their arms1414. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyère O, Cederholm T, et al. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019;48(1):16-31. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy169.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy169...
. In this test, the score for muscle weakness is ≥15 seconds1414. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyère O, Cederholm T, et al. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019;48(1):16-31. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy169.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy169...
.

Statistical analysis

Distribution of numerical data was tested by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The comparisons between older adults with normal and low TUG results were performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. The associations between the physical performance data in TUG and muscle strength in CST and HGS were analyzed by Spearman’s correlation test and interpreted as follows: 0.26-0.49: low correlation; 0.50-0.69: moderate correlation; 0.79-0.89: high correlation; and finally, 0.90-1.00: very high correlation1717. Munro BH. Statistical methods for health care research. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005..

The agreements between the diagnosis of low physical performance in TUG and muscle weakness in CST and HGS were evaluated using the Kappa statistic. Values ≥80% were considered as excellent agreement; values from 40%-60% were considered as moderate agreement; and values <40% were considered as weak agreement1818. Portney LG, Watkins MP. Power and sample size. In: Portney LG, Watkins MP, editors. Foundations of clinical research: applications to practice. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall Health; 2000. p. 705-29.. The number of weak and strong older adults with normal or low physical performance in TUG was obtained for each evaluation tool (CST and HGS). To analyze the accuracy of the tool studied (TUG), sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were estimated. ROC curves were built to verify the capacity of TUG measurements to discriminate strong and weak older adults in CST and HGS and the area below the ROC curve (area under the curve - AUC). Statistical analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 22.0 (Franz Faul, Universität Kiel, Germany).

RESULTS

Data from 442 participants were analyzed. Participants had a mean age of 80.85 (±8.047) years, with the majority having a low schooling level - incomplete elementary school (55.4%) - and low income - up to three minimum wages (89.8%). Table 1 shows other sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and the participants’ performance with the tools.

Table 1
Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and test performance

When comparing the performance of HGS and CST, it was observed that older adults with normal TUG presented significantly higher HGS and were faster in CST when compared with those with lower TUG performance (p<0.001). Table 2 shows these data.

Table 2
Comparison of handgrip strength performance and chair stand test among groups of older adults with normal scores and low timed up and go test performance

Correlation analyses showed a moderate directly proportional correlation (r=0.606, p<0.001) between TUG and HGS performance and inversely proportional low correlations between TUG and HGS performance (r=−0.353, p<0.001) and between CST and HGS performance (r=−0.289, p<0.001).

The agreement analysis of the diagnoses of muscle strength of CST and HGS was not statistically significant (p=0.077). Table 3 shows the distribution of participants.

Table 3
Distribution of participants with normal strength and muscle weakness in the chair stand and handgrip strength tests among those with normal and low timed up and go test scores

Table 4 and Figure 1 show TUG validity estimates.

Table 4
Timed up and go test validity estimates to discriminate muscle strength in the chair stand and handgrip strength tests and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve

Figure 1
Receiver operating characteristic curves with significant measurements of the timed up and go test to discriminate muscle strength in the chair stand and handgrip strength tests

DISCUSSION

This study aimed to analyze the use of TUG as a tool to assess muscle strength in community-dwelling older adults. TUG satisfactorily discriminated individuals with normal muscle strength, presenting high specificity regarding CST. Its use in clinical practice implies differentiating and dispensing from health services those who do not need interventions with greater safety.

Older adults with normal TUG present higher HGS and were faster in CST when compared with older adults with low TUG performance. Similar to the results found by Benavent-Caballer et al. (1919. Benavent-Caballer V, Sendín-Magdalena A, Lisón JF, Rosado-Calatayud R, Amer-Cuenca JJ, Salvador-Coloma P, et al. Physical factors underlying the Timed "Up and Go" test in older adults. Geriatr Nurs. 2016;37(2):122-7. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2015.11.002.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2015...
, in which TUG performance was highly correlated with knee extension strength. Standing up from a chair is a motor task that requires a relevant effort of the lower limbs muscles, close to the maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Thus, it is expected that individuals with higher handgrip strength also have shorter times in the execution of CST2020. Pau M, Casu G, Porta M, Pilloni G, Frau J, Coghe G, et al. Timed Up and Go in men and women with multiple sclerosis: effect of muscular strength. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2020;24(4):124-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.06.014.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.06.0...
.

We also found a moderate positive correlation between TUG and CST performance. We can infer that this result was obtained due to the relationship of both tests with the mobility and the muscle strength of the lower limbs. TUG is used to evaluate the performance related to the task55. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Baeyens JP, Bauer JM, Boirie Y, Cederholm T, Landi F, et al. Sarcopenia: European consensus on definition and diagnosis: report of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Age Ageing. 2010;39(4):412-23. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afq034.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afq034...
and the low physical performance, besides predicting adverse outcomes, is also used to categorize the severity of sarcopenia1414. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyère O, Cederholm T, et al. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019;48(1):16-31. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy169.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy169...
. CST requires strength and endurance, mainly used as an alternative to measure the strength of leg muscles1414. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyère O, Cederholm T, et al. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019;48(1):16-31. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy169.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy169...
.

However, the study showed inversely proportional low correlations between TUG performance and handgrip strength. These findings may be related to the inconsistency among studies on the evaluation of global muscle strength2121. Samuel D, Rowe P. An investigation of the association between grip strength and hip and knee joint moments in older adults. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2012;54(2):357-60. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2011.03.009.
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)- (2525. Pinheiro PA, Coqueiro RS, Carneiro JAO, Correia TML, Pereira R, Fernandes MH. Anthropometric indicators as screening tools for sarcopenia in older adult women. Enferm Clin. 2020;30(4):269-74. doi: 10.1016/j.enfcli.2018.12.010.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli.2018.12...
. Studies55. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Baeyens JP, Bauer JM, Boirie Y, Cederholm T, Landi F, et al. Sarcopenia: European consensus on definition and diagnosis: report of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Age Ageing. 2010;39(4):412-23. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afq034.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afq034...
), (1414. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Bahat G, Bauer J, Boirie Y, Bruyère O, Cederholm T, et al. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age Ageing. 2019;48(1):16-31. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy169.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy169...
), (1616. Porto JM, Nakaishi APM, Cangussu-Oliveira LM, Freire RC Jr, Spilla SB, Abreu DCC. Relationship between grip strength and global muscle strength in community-dwelling older people. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2019;82:273-8. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2019.03.005.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2019.0...
), (2626. Pícoli TS, Figueiredo LL, Patrizzi LJ. Sarcopenia e envelhecimento. Fisioter Mov. 2011;24(3):455-62. doi: 10.1590/s0103-51502011000300010.
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state that body measurements can be correlated, and grip strength may be related to lower limbs strength. However, muscles evaluated by handgrip dynamometers are not recruited in daily activities since static contractions are rarely used. Furthermore, other factors may influence HGS, including footprint size, genetic factors, and anthropometric variables2727. Felício DC, Elias Filho J, Queiroz BZ, Diz JBM, Pereira DS, Pereira LSM. Knee extension strength and handgrip strength are important predictors of Timed Up and Go test performance among community-dwelling elderly women: a cross-sectional study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2021;139(1):77-80. doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2020.0182.r1.30102020.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2020.0...
.

Chan et al. (2828. Chan OYA, van Houwelingen AH, Gussekloo J, Blom JW, den Elzen WPJ. Comparison of quadriceps strength and handgrip strength in their association with health outcomes in older adults in primary care. Age (Dordr). 2014;36(5):9714. doi: 10.1007/s11357-014-9714-4.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-014-9714-...
observed a weak correlation between quadriceps strength and HGS in an older population, similar to our sample, whose mean age is 80.85 years. This occurs because older adults have more physical disabilities, which can distort correlation between limbs.

The results showed weak agreements among all tests, and the agreement between muscle strength in CST and handgrip dynamometry was not statistically significant. This finding may be a result of the sample size, considered relatively small for this type of analysis.

In this study, we observed that TUG has a satisfactory discriminatory capacity of muscle strength compared to CST due to the high specificity (91.5%) and high value of PPV (94.1%), that is, greater security to affirm that an individual with TUG≥20s presents muscle weakness. Martinez et al. (66. Martinez BP, Gomes IB, Oliveira CS, Ramos IR, Rocha MDM, Forgiarini LA Jr, et al. Accuracy of the timed up and go test for predicting sarcopenia in elderly hospitalized patients. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2015;70(5):369-72. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2015(05)11.
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2015(05)...
observed using the ROC curve analysis that TUG presented a high sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 88.7% in the prediction of sarcopenia in hospitalized older adults. Since it has higher specificity than sensitivity, it can be used as a confirmatory test, as it can reliably detect those without sarcopenia.

Unlike our study, using TUG in the discrimination of sarcopenia, Filippin et al. (33. Filippin LI, Miraglia F, Teixeira VNO, Boniatti MM. Timed Up and Go test as a sarcopenia screening tool in home-dwelling elderly persons. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2017;20(4):561-6. doi: 10.1590/1981-22562017020.170086.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562017020...
found sensitivity of 88.9% and specificity of 31.4% using the ROC curve. Sensitive tests for early diagnosis are essential because they allow selecting patients who would benefit from specific early diagnosis and intervention. Thus, this test is a clinical tool for screening for sarcopenia33. Filippin LI, Miraglia F, Teixeira VNO, Boniatti MM. Timed Up and Go test as a sarcopenia screening tool in home-dwelling elderly persons. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2017;20(4):561-6. doi: 10.1590/1981-22562017020.170086.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562017020...
.

The findings presented in Table 4 show that for TUG validation, CST and HGS presented low accuracy regarding sensitivity. Thus, TUG is not suitable for screening individuals with muscle weakness, requiring better investigation with more sensitive tests for such use.

Furthermore, another interesting aspect about these results is that CST (TUG≥20s) presented PPV=94.1 and NPV=26.1, whereas HGS (TUG≥20s) presented PPV=57.0 and NPV=67.2. We believe that compatibility is related to CST presenting higher values of specificity and because HGS is a gold standard test for muscle strength evaluation, presenting higher sensitivity values.

The study has some limitations that may affect results interpretation. This is a retrospective study, using a database. Thus, we do not have some sample characterization variables, such as the score in the participants’ MMSE and information on physical activity practice. Moreover, the lack of description of the amount of data excluded and the small sample size for the type of analysis of agreement between the tests are also limitations.

We recognize the limitations of the study, however, the findings reinforce that the use of the TUG test can facilitate discrimination between individuals who have normal muscle strength of those with muscle weakness and, thus, treat only those who require intervention, reducing costs in public health. Also, when using TUG for this purpose, the time while performing other tests is reduced, which is very beneficial considering this population’s high demand for health professionals. Therefore, it is possible to help clinicians find and implement interventions focused on muscle strength gain for older adults.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the timed up and go test (TUG) showed a moderate correlation compared to CST and satisfactorily indicated individuals with normal muscle strength in HGS. Thus, it can be used in clinical practice to exempt individuals from health services with greater safety when they do not require intervention.

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  • 1
    Completion of Project Work conducted during the Multiprofessional Health Residency in Adults and Older Population Health at the Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde, Secretaria de Saúde do Distrito Federal (SES-DF) - Brasília (DF), Brazil.
  • Financing source:

    nothing to declare
  • 4
    Approved by the Research Ethics Committee: Opinion No. 4,606,038.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    28 Apr 2023
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    02 Nov 2022
  • Accepted
    06 Jan 2023
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