Tarsus University, Faculty of Health Science, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, 33400, Tarsus/Mersin, Turkey.
Toros University, Faculty of Health Science, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, 33140, Mersin, Turkey.
Geriatr Nurs. 2024 Sep-Oct;59:228-233. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.07.003. Epub 2024 Jul 24.
Changes in muscle and tendon stiffness may lead to falls in older adults by affecting joint stability and muscle function. This study aims to investigate the changes in stiffness in lower extremity muscles and tendons in the older adults with a fall history. A cross-sectional research design was followed. 25 older adults with a fall history and 26 older adults without fall history were recruited study. Stiffness of the lower extremity muscles and tendons was measured using a MyotonPRO device. Balance and functional ability of the participants were evaluated. The stiffness of all the selected muscles and tendon was lower in the older adults with a history of fall compared to controls (p<0.05). The obtained results suggest the decrease in the stiffness of the lower extremity muscles and tendon may negatively affect muscle function and joint stability/ control, and it may increase the predisposition to falling in older adults.
肌肉和肌腱僵硬的变化可能会通过影响关节稳定性和肌肉功能导致老年人跌倒。本研究旨在探讨有跌倒史的老年人下肢肌肉和肌腱僵硬的变化。采用横断面研究设计。招募了 25 名有跌倒史的老年人和 26 名无跌倒史的老年人作为研究对象。使用 MyotonPRO 设备测量下肢肌肉和肌腱的僵硬程度。评估参与者的平衡和功能能力。与对照组相比，有跌倒史的老年人所有选定的肌肉和肌腱的僵硬度都较低（p<0.05）。研究结果表明，下肢肌肉和肌腱僵硬度的降低可能会对肌肉功能和关节稳定性/控制产生负面影响，并可能增加老年人跌倒的易感性。
