Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between levels of certified care need and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), mobility and muscle function. The subjects were 73 frail elderly people certified as needing care and 15 independent frail elderly people without dementia. The measurements were the strength and thickness of knee extensor muscles, walking speed and one leg standing endurance test. The IADL was also evaluated by a 13 part questionnaire. The total points of IADL and accomplishment rates of mobility tests showed significant differences according to levels of certified care need, although there was no relation between stage and maximal knee extension strength and muscle thickness. These results indicate that people certified as being in need of long term care might have muscle function similar to independent frail elderly people.
