Objective: To evaluate the strength and function of the hip flexor muscles and knee extensors of elderly patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to know possible compensatory patterns of balance, physical mobility and predictors of falls.

Background: Chronological age increase is accompanied by a loss of skeletal muscle area, a decrease in the number and size of muscle fibers and a gradual loss of muscle strength.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that evaluated 37 elderly people of both sexes with a diagnosis of PD, age between 55 and 85 years, stage I, II and III by the Hoehn & Yahr (HY) scale. Static, dynamic and gait skills were evaluated through the Tinetti Index and disease progression, daily life activities and motor activity by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Assessment Scale (UPDRS) part III, isokinetic evaluation for the graduation of the functional standard strength and muscular function.

Results: Mean Tinetti’s score for staging III was 15.08 ± 5.33, showing a compromised functional performance through the UPDRS III and a relative risk of falls among patients in relation to the results of the Tinetti Index; already in relation to the force, staging III presented a deficit of force in the flexor musculature of knee. The results of the evaluation of Pico de Torque (PT), Work (T) and Power (P) in the isokinetic dynamometer demonstrated a significant difference in quadriceps strength, which performs knee and hamstring extension, which performs knee flexion, between the stages of the disease. When it comes to the hamstring group, weakness was observed at all speeds.

Conclusions: Elderly patients with PD present a major force deficit when it comes to the knee extensor muscle group, perhaps evidenced by bradykinesia, leading to a worsening of the static and dynamic balance and to a higher risk of falls with progression of the disease.

References: SOUZA, CFM. et al. A doença de Parkinson e o processo de envelhecimento motor: uma revisão de literatura. Rev Neurocienc, v .19, n. 4, p.718-723, 2011. MIRANDA, GMD, MENDES, ACG, SILVA, ALA. O envelhecimento populacional brasileiro: desafios e consequências sociais atuais e futuras. Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia. 19(3):507– 519. 2016. ANTONIAK AE, GREIG CA. The effect of combined resistance exercise training and vitamin D3 supplementation on musculoskeletal health and function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 7(7):e014619. 2017.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/functional-balance-and-neuromuscular-strength-difficulties-like-fracture-predictors-in-a-parkinsonian-population/