Background The Fast Timed Up and Go (FTUG) test is a simple mobility assessment that may serve as a practical alternative for identifying low lower-limb functional power in community settings. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FTUG for detecting low functional power and to determine an optimal population-specific cutoff in community-dwelling older Thai women.
Methods A cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study was conducted among 88 community-dwelling women aged ≥60 years. Relative sit-to-stand (STS) muscle power was calculated using the Alcazar equation, and low power was defined as a value below the 25th percentile of the sample distribution (2.36 W/kg). Diagnostic accuracy of FTUG was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, with the optimal cutoff identified using the Youden index.
Results Participants with low STS-derived power demonstrated significantly slower FTUG times than those with normal power (12.43±3.72 seconds vs. 8.33±1.08 seconds, P<0.001). ROC analysis showed strong discriminatory capacity, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.922 (95% confidence interval, 0.855–0.989). The optimal FTUG cutoff was 9.8 seconds, yielding 77.3% sensitivity and 93.9% specificity. Alternative thresholds showed acceptable performance but did not exceed the overall accuracy of the 9.8-second cutoff.
Conclusion FTUG demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for identifying reduced lower-limb functional power in community-dwelling older Thai women. A population-specific cutoff of 9.8 seconds may provide a practical tool for early screening in community health settings.
Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) recently became a leading liver disease that threatens health worldwide. Low muscle strength, obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome are recognized key factors for NAFLD. However, the impact of low muscle strength itself in different metabolic conditions has not been widely studied.
Methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed of a sample of 5,427 participants from the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Relative handgrip strength (rHGS, defined as handgrip strength/body mass index) was used to assess muscle strength. The cut-off values for a low rHGS were 1.405 for men and 0.850 for women. NAFLD was diagnosed if the Hepatic Steatosis Index was >36. Participants were stratified according to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and central obesity for the subgroup analyses.
Results Complex sample multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between low muscle strength and NAFLD after the adjustment for other confounders (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; P<0.001). In the insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and central obesity subgroups, a significant association between low muscle strength and NAFLD remained (OR, 1.66–4.19 depending on subgroup; all P<0.05), whereas it did not in the no central obesity group.
Conclusion This study demonstrated that low muscle strength is correlated with a risk of NAFLD. This relationship was independent of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome but was dependent on the presence of central obesity.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Molecular crosstalk between MASLD and IVDD revealed through integrated biomarker discovery analysis Guohao Wang, Yongming Liu, Xingchao Shen Frontiers in Immunology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Possible association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease predictors and hand grip strength Suyeon Lee, Jong-Koo Kim, Taesic Lee Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Association between muscular strength, abdominal obesity, and incident nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a Korean population Jae Ho Park, Hyun-Young Park Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Muscle Strength, Lipid Metabolism and Hepatic Steatosis Are Improved with Ursolic Acid Treatment in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice Dongyang Kang, Li Cao Nutrients.2025; 17(19): 3158. CrossRef
Relative Grip Strength as a Predictor of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Incidence: A Longitudinal Study by Metabolic Syndrome Status and Risk Factors Aged 51 to 88 Years DooYong Park, Buseok Kim, On Lee, Yeon Soo Kim The Korean Journal of Sports Medicine.2025; 43(4): 238. CrossRef
Association Between Relative Grip Strength, Insulin Resistance, and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study DooYong Park, Byungul Lim, On Lee Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
The impact of appendicular skeletal muscle index and trunk muscle index on stress urinary incontinence risk in female adults: a retrospective study Junwei Wang, Cunming Zhang, Aiwei Zhang Frontiers in Nutrition.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Joint Association of Relative Grip Strength and Regular Exercise Participation with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study Sujung Yoo, Dooyong Park The Korean Journal of Sports Medicine.2024; 42(4): 262. CrossRef
Background The ankle–foot complex plays a key role in maintaining balance because it collects proprioceptive data. Kinesio taping (KT) is a rehabilitative method performed by the cutaneous application of a special elastic tape. The mechanical correction technique of KT was suggested to reposition the joints and alter balance parameters. The aim was to reveal the pure effects of ankle KT on balance, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in healthy individuals.
Methods Forty healthy students were recruited for this randomized, sham-controlled study at a local university. Participants were divided into two groups—experimental and sham application groups. The primary outcome measures were balance parameters. Athlete Single Leg (ASL), Limits of Stability (LoS), and Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB) were used to measure single-leg dynamic balance, dynamic postural control, and sensory interaction of balance, respectively. Dorsiflexion ROM and dorsiflexor muscle strength were the secondary outcomes.
Results The ASL score showed significant improvement only in the experimental KT group (P=0.02); however, the LoS score increased significantly in both groups (P<0.05). CTSIB scores, dorsiflexion ROM, and dorsiflexor muscle strength for both ankles did not change in any of the groups after intervention (P>0.05). Moreover, there was no superiority of one intervention over the other in improving any of the variables (P>0.05).
Conclusion The mechanical correction technique of KT can be useful in providing immediate improvement in single-leg dynamic balance in healthy individuals. However, it may not be effective to significantly change the sensory interaction of balance, dorsiflexion ROM, and muscle strength.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Efficacy of ankle Kinesio taping on balance and functional performance in obese female collegiate students: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial Nesma M. Allam, Hadaya Mosaad Eladl, Dalia Mahmoud Abdelmonem Elsherbini, Moaz Abulfaraj, Moneer E. Almadani, Ateya Megahed Ibrahim, Mohamed El-Sherbiny, Mohamed A. Eladl, Nermine Nosseir, Reda Jamjoom Frontiers in Public Health.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Comparison of Kinesio Taping, Lumbar Belt and Joint Mobilization on Balance and Proprioception in Older Adults with Chronic Ankle Instability Heeyong Park, Daihee Kam, Sehun Park, Jaechan Lee, Hanbyul Park, Wonjae Choi Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science.2025; 14(4): 574. CrossRef
Effects of Virtual Reality on Analgesia in Wound Care and Physical Therapy for Burn Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Jiaqi Lou, JiLiang Li, Youfen Fan, Chun Zhang, Neng Huang Pain Management Nursing.2024; 25(4): 377. CrossRef
Acute effects of kinesiology taping on physical parameters and functional performance in handball players: a double-blinded, randomised placebo-controlled trial Eren Arabaci, Ertugrul Deniz Kose, Kubra Okuyucu Sport Sciences for Health.2024; 20(4): 1333. CrossRef
Functional ankle taping correction on plantar foot ulcer healing in diabetic patients: Randomized controlled trial Ahmed Elfahl, Sobhy Aly, Heba Elfeky Physiotherapy Practice and Research.2024; : 1. CrossRef
Immediate effects of elastic tape application on the foot sole: a randomized controlled trial Riyaka Ito, Tatsuya Igawa, Ryunosuke Urata, Shomaru Ito, Kosuke Suzuki, Marino Suzuki, Akira Kubo Journal of Physical Therapy Science.2023; 35(7): 497. CrossRef
Background The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of rehabilitation approaches in individuals with low back pain (LBP) on pain, spinal mobility, disability, and muscular strength.
Methods Ninety volunteers were included and divided into four groups depending on the rehabilitation approach: group 1, soft tissue mobilization techniques and stabilization exercises (n=24; 11 females [F], 13 males [M]); group 2, Kinesio Taping and stabilization exercises (n=24; 12F, 12M); group 3, stabilization exercises (n=22; 11F, 11M); and group 4, reflex therapy and stabilization exercises (n=20; 10F, 10M). Visual Analog Scale for pain intensity, an isokinetic evaluation for strength at 60°/s and a side-plank position test for trunk stabilization were measured before and assessed at the beginning, after a 4-week treatment and during 4 weeks of follow-up. The functional status was evaluated with the Oswestry Disability Index.
Results Individuals in all groups showed similar decrease in pain after the treatment and at 1-month follow-up, but there were no significant differences in pain levels between the groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion All therapeutic approaches were found to be effective in diminishing pain and thus helpful in increasing strength and stabilization in patients with LBP.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Benefits and side effects of rehabilitation therapies used for patients with chronic non-specific low back pain Е. А. Son, А. I. Isaikin Journal of Medical Rehabilitation.2026; 3(2): 112. CrossRef
Does the addition of manual therapy to exercise therapy improve pain and disability outcomes in chronic low back pain: A systematic review Pirunthaban Narenthiran, Isabelle Granville Smith, Frances M.K. Williams Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.2025; 42: 146. CrossRef
Características sociodemográficas y clínicas de la población atendida en un centro docente de fisioterapia de baja complejidad Katherine Marcela Madrigal Sandoval, César Alfaro-Redondo, Sofía Saballos-Soto, Andreina Moraga-López Revista Colombiana de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación.2025; 35(2): e485. CrossRef
Efficacy of kinesio tape added to lumbar stabilization exercises on adult patients with mechanical low back pain: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial Aliaa M. Elabd, Omar M. Elabd Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.2024; 39: 218. CrossRef
A benchmark for the quality of reflexology intervention reporting using the template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) checklist: A systematic review Jacqueline James, Joseph T Costello, Amy K Drahota European Journal of Integrative Medicine.2024; 71: 102391. CrossRef
Physiotherapy research on low back pain in the Indian context: A bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database Arun Vijay Subbarayalu, Mohamed Idhris, Sivasankar Prabaharan, Muhil Sakthivel, Shahul Hameed Pakkir Mohamed, Manuelraj Peter, Spurgeon Anandraj, Anand Pandiyarajan, Mohammed Barkath Ali Mohammed Farook, Abdurahiman Pattukuthu Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation.2023; 36(4): 861. CrossRef
Problems and prospects of kinesiotaping use in clinical practice M.A. Spirina, T.I. Vlasova, A.V. Sitdikova, E.A. Shamrova Problems of Balneology, Physiotherapy and Exercise Therapy.2023; 100(3): 51. CrossRef
Bilateral Asymmetrical Limb Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Effects on Pain, Multifidus Activity, Range of Motion, and Disability in Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial Aftab Ahmed Mirza Baig, Basit Ansari Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.2022; 45(8): 604. CrossRef
Effect of kinesio taping on low back pain during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis Xiali Xue, Yan Chen, Xiaorong Mao, Huan Tu, Xinwei Yang, Zhongyi Deng, Ning Li BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
The effect of elastic therapeutic taping and rigid taping on pain, functionality, and tissue temperature in lumbar radiculopathy: a randomized controlled study Tugce Bozkurt, Rabia Tugba Kilic, Hayri Baran Yosmaoglu Somatosensory & Motor Research.2021; 38(4): 373. CrossRef
Interventions for the Management of Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Revision 2021 Steven Z. George, Julie M. Fritz, Sheri P. Silfies, Michael J. Schneider, Jason M. Beneciuk, Trevor A. Lentz, John R. Gilliam, Stephanie Hendren, Katherine S. Norman Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.2021; 51(11): CPG1. CrossRef
The efficacy of kinesio taping as an adjunct to physical therapy for chronic low back pain for at least two weeks Guangchen Sun, Qiliang Lou Medicine.2021; 100(49): e28170. CrossRef
Bo Mi Kim, Yu Hyeon Yi, Yun Jin Kim, Sang Yeoup Lee, Jeong Gyu Lee, Young Hye Cho, Young Jin Tak, Hye Rim Hwang, Seung Hun Lee, Eun Ju Park, Youngin Lee
Korean J Fam Med 2020;41(6):404-411. Published online February 12, 2020
Background Grip strength is a convenient method to measure muscle strength. Recently, relative handgrip strength (HGS) was recommended as a clinical predictor of metabolic health and disease, such as dyslipidemia, which is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to characterize the association between relative HGS and dyslipidemia.
Methods We included 6,027 adults (2,934 men, 3,093 women) aged 30–69 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2014 and 2015. Relative HGS was obtained by dividing the HGS by body mass index. Complex sampling analysis was conducted to compare the general characteristics of participants according to the quartiles of relative HGS. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between quartiles of relative HGS and dyslipidemia.
Results After adjustment for age, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, prevalence of hypertension, alcohol consumption, smoking status, exercise, income, and education level, relative HGS was inversely associated with dyslipidemia in both men and women. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for dyslipidemia in quartiles 1, 2, and 3 relative to quartile 4 were 1.36 (1.00–1.83), 1.29 (0.98–1.70), 1.23 (0.95– 1.60) in men and 1.81 (1.30–2.50), 1.81 (1.32–2.47), 1.39 (1.07–1.81) in women, respectively.
Conclusion Relative HGS was inversely associated with dyslipidemia risk in Korean adults. Muscle-strengthening exercise is recommended to enhance health outcomes.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Could calisthenic exercises improve maximal exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength and quality of life in dyslipidemia? Furkan Özdemir, Melda Sağlam, Aydan Aslı Aksel Uylar, Oğuz A. Uyaroğlu, Nursel Çalik Başaran, Mine Durusu Tanriöver, Naciye Vardar Yağli, Hasan Sozen PLOS One.2025; 20(6): e0326026. CrossRef
COMPARAÇÃO DAS EXPRESSÕES DA FORÇA DE PREENSÃO MANUAL COM OS COMPONENTES DA SÍNDROME METABÓLICA EM ADULTOS João José Albuquerque de Sousa Júnior, Thatiana Lameira Maciel Amaral, Gina Torres Rego Monteiro, Cledir de Araújo Amaral, Maurício Teixeira Leite de Vasconcellos, Joaquim Reverter-Masia Revista Contemporânea.2025; 5(10): e9386. CrossRef
Relative Grip Strength as a Predictor of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Incidence: A Longitudinal Study by Metabolic Syndrome Status and Risk Factors Aged 51 to 88 Years DooYong Park, Buseok Kim, On Lee, Yeon Soo Kim The Korean Journal of Sports Medicine.2025; 43(4): 238. CrossRef
Association between handgrip strength and metabolic syndrome in relation to gender and adiposity among middle aged and older Saudi populations Shaea A. Alkahtani, Ghedeir M. Alshammari, Aishah Alzuwaydi, Abdulaziz Alfuhaid, Abeer A. Al-Masri, Rizwan Qaisar, Syed Shahid Habib The Aging Male.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Association Between Typologies of Sedentary Behavior and Muscle Strength, Gait Speed, and Balance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Letícia Martins Cândido, Núbia Carelli Pereira de Avelar, Eleonora D’Orsi, Ana Cristina Rodrigues Lacerda, Vanessa Amaral Mendonça, Gabriella Tringali, Alessandro Sartorio, Ana Lúcia Danielewicz Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.2024; 32(2): 225. CrossRef
Predictors of the onset of low handgrip strength in Europe: a longitudinal study of 42,183 older adults from 15 countries Rizwan Qaisar, M. Azhar Hussain, Fabio Franzese, Asima Karim, Firdos Ahmad, Atif Awad, Abeer A. Al-Masri, Shaea A. Alkahtani Aging Clinical and Experimental Research.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Increasing muscular strength to improve cardiometabolic risk factors Patricio Lopez-Jaramillo, Jose P. Lopez-Lopez, Maria Camila Tole, Daniel D. Cohen Clínica e Investigación en Arteriosclerosis.2023; 35(3): 144. CrossRef
Association of absolute and relative hand grip strength with all-cause mortality among middle-aged and old-aged people Wonjeong Jeong, Jong Youn Moon, Jae-Hyun Kim BMC Geriatrics.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Identification of subgroups with poor lipid control among patients with dyslipidemia using decision tree analysis: the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2019 to 2021 Hee Sun Kim, Seok Hee Jeong Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science.2023; 25(2): 131. CrossRef
Increasing muscular strength to improve cardiometabolic risk factors Patricio Lopez-Jaramillo, Jose P. Lopez-Lopez, Maria Camila Tole, Daniel D. Cohen Clínica e Investigación en Arteriosclerosis (English Edition).2023; 35(3): 144. CrossRef
Association between Relative Handgrip Strength and Insulin Resistance in Korean Elderly Men without Diabetes: Findings of the 2015 Korea National Health Nutrition Examination Survey Kwang-Chae Joo, Da-Hye Son, Jae-Min Park Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2022; 43(3): 199. CrossRef
Association Between C-Reactive Protein and Relative Handgrip Strength in Postmenopausal Korean Women Aged 45–80 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study Da-Hye Son, Seung-Ah Song, Yong-Jae Lee Clinical Interventions in Aging.2022; Volume 17: 971. CrossRef
Relationship Between Relative Grip Strength and Serum Total Cholesterol, High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol, and Triglyceride Levels in Korean Middle-Aged or Older Adults: A Panel Regression Model DooYong Park, Duck-Chul Lee, YeonSoo Kim Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders.2022; 20(9): 517. CrossRef
Stroke-Related Sarcopenia among Two Different Developing Countries with Diverse Ethnic Backgrounds (Cross-National Study in Egypt and China) Marwa Mohammed, Jianan Li Healthcare.2022; 10(11): 2336. CrossRef
Importance of Handgrip Strength as a Health Indicator in the Elderly Soo Young Kim Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2021; 42(1): 1. CrossRef
Handgrip Strength: An Irreplaceable Indicator of Muscle Function Sang Yoon Lee Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2021; 45(3): 167. CrossRef
Association between relative handgrip strength and abdominal obesity, type-2 diabetes and hypertension in a Mexican population Iris Paola Guzmán-Guzmán, Pedro Delgado-Floody, Ilse Adriana Gutiérrez-Pérez, Felipe Caamaño-Navarrete, Daniel Jerez-Mayorga, Óscar Zaragoza-García, Isela Parra-Rojas Nutrición Hospitalaria.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Grip Strength as a Cardiometabolic Marker Jungun Lee Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2020; 41(5): 271. CrossRef
First
Prev
