Journal
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
Volume 24, Issue 9, Pages 1344-1351Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/mds.22609
Keywords
Parkinson's disease; bradykinesia; muscle weakness; muscle power
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Funding
- University of Sydney Research and Development Scheme [S3091U4500]
- University of Sydney Faculty of Health Sciences Postgraduate Research Scholarship
- George Burniston-Cumberland Foundation Fellowship
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Muscle power (force X velocity) could clarify the relationship between weakness and bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease (PD). The aims of this study were to determine if patients with PD were weaker and/or less powerful in their leg extensor muscles than a neurologically normal control group and to determine the relative contributions of force and movement velocity/bradykinesia to muscle power in PD. Forty patients with PD and 40 controls were assessed. Strength in Newtons (N) was measured as the heaviest load the participant could lift. Power in Watts (W) was measured by having the participant perform lifts as fast as possible. The PD group were 172 N weaker (95% CI 28-315) and 124 W less powerful at peak power (95% CI 32-216) than controls. However, velocity at maximal power was only reduced compared with controls when lifting light to medium loads. When lifting heavy loads bradykinesia was no longer apparent in the PD group. These results suggest that reduced muscle power in PD at lighter loads arises from weakness and bradykinesia combined, but at heavier loads arises only from weakness. The absence of bradykinesia in the PD group when lifting heavy loads warrants further investigation. (C) 2009 Movement Disorder Society
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