Appendix Table A.
Performance Test | Methods | Evaluation Criteria |
---|---|---|
Hand grip strength (kg) | The maximum strength (kg) of dominant hand using a Jamar dynamometer will be recorded. | Two trials. Clinically meaningful weakness will defined as a grip strength <30kg in men and <20kg in women113. Meeting low strength cutpoint in either trial indicates eligibility. |
Timed Up and Go Test (“TUG”)114, 115 | stands up from a chair, walks 3 meters, turns, walks back (usual pace), and sits down | Two trials, average of 2 trials reported 13.5 seconds indicate greater risk for falls116 |
Lower leg-muscle strength and endurance | Isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength and endurance will be evaluated on the right leg, at an angular velocity of 60°/s using a Biodex System 4 dynamometer (Shirley, NY); endurance (total muscular work) tested with 30 repetitions at maximal effort at 180°/s. | Best of the 5 maximal voluntary efforts per test will be reported as peak torque at 60° in Newton meter (Nm) units |
6 meter Gait Speed* (meters/second) | Participant instructed to walk over 6-meter course at the usual pace, which will be timed | One trial. Mobility impairment is defined as gait speed ≤0.8 m/s113 |
*Standing balance | maintain their feet side-by-side, semi-tandem and tandem; 10 seconds each | 10 seconds each timing stops when feet move, participant grasps the interviewer for support, or end of 10 sec elapsed |
*Chair stands: | participants stand, arms folded across the chest from a straightbacked, non-padded chair, and perform five complete sit to stand tests as fast as they can. | Two trials, >15 seconds to complete 5 chair stands indicates severe sarcopenia; inability to complete five repetitions without assistance or use of upper extremity support indicates failure of the test |
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), composite score of standing balance, chair stands and gait speed, performance tests are scored between 0 and 4, and a summary score ranging from 0 to 12 is computed. Scores approaching 12 reflect higher levels of physical functioning39