Abstract
The relationship between the hip abductor strength on flexion/quadriceps femoris muscle strength and each physical function parameter was analyzedtoconfirm the usefulness of measuring the former. The hip abductor strength on flexion, quadriceps femoris muscle strength, toe grip strength, hand grip strength, number of sit-ups, sit-andreach test score, duration of standing on one leg with the eyes open, Timed UpandGotest (TUG) score, whole-body muscle mass, and leg muscle mass were measured in 274 community-dwelling elderly people (male:52, female:222, mean age:74.4±5.2). In the male group, both the hip abductor strength on flexion and quadriceps femoris muscle strength were significantly correlated with all physical function parameters, excluding the wholebody and leg muscle masses. In the female group, the 2 muscle strengths were significantly correlated with all physical function parameters, excluding the sit-and-reach test score and duration of standing on one leg with the eyes open. Based on the results, the hip abductor strength on flexion may be as useful as the quadriceps femoris muscle strength as an overall physical fitness index for elderly people.
