Correlation of postural balance and knee muscle strength in the sit-to-stand test among women with and without postmenopausal osteoporosis

Abstract

The task of standing up from a chair forms a part of daily life for all independent individuals. However, this task becomes more difficult with advancing age. Women with postmenopausal osteoporosis presented diminished knee extensor and flexor muscle strength. There was a weak correlation between knee muscle strength (greater with extensor strength) and postural balance during the act of standing up.

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate postural balance during the transition from sitting to standing and its relationship with knee extensor and flexor strength among women with and without postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Methods: Assessments were made on 126 women (aged 55-65 years), divided into osteoporosis and control groups according to lumbar bone density. Their balance during the task of standing up from a chair was evaluated using the Balance Master® device. Knee muscle strength was evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex®), in concentric/concentric mode, at a velocity of 60°/s. Spearman's correlation between the variables of muscle strength and postural balance was evaluated. Subsequently, to evaluate the association of each balance variable with the group and with muscle strength, multiple linear regression models were fitted. The significance level was set at 0.05.

Results: There was a difference in knee muscle strength between the groups (P < 0.05). However, independent of the muscle strength values, there were no differences in relation to weight transfer times (P = 0.556) or center of gravity sway velocity (P = 0.952). Transfer time diminished with increasing extensor strength (P = 0.025). The center of gravity sway velocity tended to increase with increasing extensor strength (P = 0.013) and was the same in the two groups (P = 0.264).

Conclusion: Women with postmenopausal osteoporosis presented diminished knee extensor and flexor muscle strength. There was a weak correlation between knee muscle strength (greater with extensor strength) and postural balance during the act of standing up.