Development of a screening formula for sarcopenia using ground reaction force during sit-to-stand motion

Background: Ground reaction force during sit-to-stand motion is related to lower extremity strength, and such measurements indicating weak muscle strength, may be linked to sarcopenia. We aimed to examine and describe the relationship between sarcopenia and ground reaction force during sit-to-stand motion to develop a diagnostic tool. Research question: Can ground reaction force during sit-to-stand motion help detect sarcopenia? Methods: This study included 627 community-dwelling older adults who were divided into non-sarcopenia and sarcopenia groups to compare ground reaction force parameters. A sit-to-stand force analyzer was used to measure the ground reaction force, power, and time between the minimum and maximum ground reaction force. We assessed the association between sarcopenia and each ground reaction force parameter. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed with sarcopenia as the dependent variable and ground reaction force-related measurements as independent variables. The probability of predicting sarcopenia was calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis, with sex and age as independent variables, and another receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed using the probability value. Results: Ground reaction force parameters related to strength and power were lower in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group. Furthermore, we were able to develop a formula to detect sarcopenia using the maximum ground reaction force (area under the curve; 0.906 [95% CI 0.858-0.954] for men and 0.858 [0.808-0.908] for women). The sensitivity and specificity of sarcopenia detection using this formula were 89.7% and 80.5%, respectively, for men and 95.0% and 60.9%, respectively, for women. Significance: Ground reaction force during sit-to-stand motion may reflect low skeletal muscle strength associated with sarcopenia. We were able to develop a method for sarcopenia detection by analyzing the sit-to-stand force required in only one or two sit-to-stand motions, even though it does not measure the skeletal muscle mass directly.

Automated summary

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between ground reaction force during sit-to-stand motion and sarcopenia, and develop a diagnostic tool. The results showed that ground reaction force parameters related to strength and power were lower in the sarcopenia group. Furthermore, a formula using maximum ground reaction force was developed to detect sarcopenia with high sensitivity and specificity.