Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07065448

Alternative to Gait Speed in Sarcopenia Assessment

This study aims to assess the reliability of the Elbow Performance Test as an upper extremity-based alternative for evaluating sarcopenia severity. Unlike traditional lower extremity-focused assessments, this test may offer a practical solution for individuals with mobility limitations or comorbidities affecting the lower limbs. Participants will include older adults with sarcopenia and healthy young adults. Functional tests, including the 4-meter Gait Speed Test, SPPB, TUG, and the Elbow Performance Test, will be administered twice within a 7-10-day interval. Reliability will be analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Sarcopenia Atrophy Elderly Muscular Atrophy Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Istanbul, 31180, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Background:Sarcopenia is a generalized and progressive skeletal muscle disorder characterized by a decline in muscle strength, mass, and function. The severity of sarcopenia is commonly assessed using functional performance tests, which are also used for monitoring disease progression and treatment response. However, lower extremity-based tests may have limited applicability in the presence of various comorbidities.

Objective: This study proposes an upper extremity-based alternative, the Elbow Performance Test, and aims to evaluate its reliability in comparison to the commonly used 4-meter Gait Speed Test.

Method:This planned cross-sectional study will include two groups: older adults with sarcopenia and healthy young adults. All participants will undergo the 4-meter Gait Speed Test, the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Elbow Performance Test on two separate occasions, with a 7-10-day interval between sessions. In the Elbow Performance Test, a 1-kilogram sandbag will be attached to the distal forearm of the dominant arm, and participants will be instructed to perform 30 consecutive elbow flexion-extension movements. The total time required to complete the repetitions will be recorded. The reliability of the test will be evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Individuals who consent to participate in the study

*Sarcopenia Group

  • Male participants aged 60 years or older
  • Diagnosed with sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 criteria

*Healthy Young Control Group

  • Male participants aged 40 years or younger
  • SARC-F screening test score < 4

Exclusion criteria

  • Inability to cooperate
  • Poor general condition due to acute medical problems
  • Chronic decompensated cardiac, renal, or hepatic failure
  • Presence of rheumatologic, psychiatric, or neurological disorders
  • Use of performance-enhancing or fatigue-reducing medications

Treatment and study plan

physical performance tests

Other

All participants underwent the 4-meter Gait Speed Test, the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Elbow Performance Test twice, with a 7-10-day interval between sessions. In the Elbow Performance Test, a 1-kilogram sandbag was fixed to the distal forearm of the dominant arm, and participants were asked to perform 30 consecutive elbow flexion-extension movements.

Primary outcomes

  1. the Elbow Performance Test

    Time frame: Two assessment sessions conducted seven to ten days apart to evaluate test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

    The total time required to complete thirty consecutive elbow flexion-extension movements, performed with a one-kilogram sandbag attached to the distal forearm of the dominant arm.

Secondary outcomes

  1. the 4-meter Gait Speed Test

    Time frame: Two assessment sessions conducted seven to ten days apart to evaluate test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

    The 4-Meter Gait Speed Test was used to evaluate functional mobility. Participants walked a total of 6 meters at their usual pace, with timing recorded only for the central 4-meter section. A stopwatch was used to measure the time, and gait speed was calculated in meters per second.

  2. the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)

    Time frame: Two assessment sessions conducted seven to ten days apart to evaluate test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

    Physical performance will be assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), which includes balance tests (standing positions), the 4-meter gait speed test, and the five-times sit-to-stand test. Each component is scored from 0 to 4, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating better physical function.

  3. Timed Up and Go (TUG)

    Time frame: Two assessment sessions conducted seven to ten days apart to evaluate test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

    Functional mobility and balance will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, which measures the time required to stand up from a chair, walk three meters, turn around, and sit back down.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

The Reliability of the Elbow Isotonic Contraction Test as an Alternative to the Gait Speed Test in Assessing Sarcopenia Severity

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jul 15, 2025
Registry last updated
Jul 30, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.