Impact of lower limb muscle strength on walking function beyond aging and diabetes

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the influence of lower limb muscle strength on the walking function of advanced-age patients with diabetes. METHODS: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, data were collected from 202 advanced-age patients with diabetes. All patients completed questionnaires, the one-leg stance test, the timed up-and-go test, the 30-s sit-to-stand test, and plantar pressure platform measurements. The patients were divided in two groups according to their lower limb muscle strength: those with declining muscle strength and those with normal muscle strength. RESULTS: Walking function was significantly abnormal in the patients with declining lower limb muscle strength. The gait trajectories were abnormal, mainly with respect to a shortage of driving force. CONCLUSION: The lower limb muscle strength can affect the static balance and dynamic balance in advanced-age patients with declining lower limb muscle strength.