This study aimed to investigate the influence of the task type on the relative electromyography (EMG) activity of biceps femoris long head (BFlh) to semitendinosus (ST) muscles, and of proximal to distal regions during isometric leg-curl (LC) and hip-extension (HE). Twenty male volunteers performed isometric LC with the knee flexed to 30° (LC30) and 90° (LC90), as well as isometric HE with the knee extended (HE0) and flexed to 90° (HE90), at 40% and 100% maximal voluntary contraction (MVIC). Hip position was neutral in all conditions. EMG activity was recorded from the proximal and distal region of the BFlh and ST muscles. BFlh/ST was calculated from the raw root-mean-square (RMS) amplitudes. The RMS of 40% MVIC was normalized using MVIC data and the proximal/distal (P/D) ratio of normalized EMG (NEMG) was calculated. The BFlh/ST ratio was higher in HE0 than in LC90 during MVIC and 40% MVIC (p<0.05), and was higher in HE90 than in LC90 (p<0.05) during 40% MVIC at the proximal region, whereas no difference was observed between HE0 and LC30. There was no inter-task difference in BFlh/ST ratio in the distal region. Furthermore, the P/D ratio was higher in LC90 than in LC30 and HE0 (p<0.05) in BFlh and ST muscles, and was higher in HE90 than in LC30 and HE0 (p<0.05) in BFlh during 40% MVIC. However, there was no difference in P/D ratio between LC30 and LC90, and HE0 and HE90. This showed that there was no task-dependent difference in the EMG activity of the BFlh muscle relative to the ST muscle between prone hip extension and prone knee flexion when the knee joint was set at an equivalent angle. Similarly, there was no task-dependent difference in the NEMG of the proximal region relative to the distal region in BFlh and ST muscles during 40% MVIC.

Locomotive syndrome (LS) predisposes older adults to falls and functional dependency. In older adults with LS, the validity of the Lower Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-LQ)—a dynamic balance assessment tool—remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the convergent validity of the YBT-LQ with the Two-Step and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests and compare YBT-LQ performance between individuals with and without LS. Sixty Thai community-dwelling older adults (≥60 years) were equally divided into LS and non-LS groups and performed the YBT-LQ, Two-Step test, and TUG test. Correlation analyses and independent t-tests assessed relationships and between-group comparisons, respectively. The YBT-LQ exhibited moderate positive correlations with the Two-Step test (r = 0.366, p = 0.004) and moderate negative correlations with the TUG test (r = −0.412, p = 0.001). The LS group exhibited significantly lower YBT-LQ scores across all reach directions than the non-LS group (p < 0.05), highlighting impaired balance in individuals with LS. The YBT-LQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing dynamic balance and postural control, as well as identifying multidirectional stability deficits in older adults, particularly those with LS. Implementing the YBT-LQ in routine geriatric evaluations could enhance early detection and targeted interventions to reduce fall risk and improve mobility in aging populations.

Locomotive Syndrome (LS), a condition related to impaired mobility, is influenced by balance control, which comprises six components. Deficiencies in these components can lead to reduced mobility and decreased quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the components of postural control and LS in older adults using the Brief-BESTest. Therefore, this cross-sectional study involved 122 elderly participants from Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, both with and without LS. Participants underwent assessments using the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) assessment, the Thai Mental State Examination (TMSE), the Two-Step Test, and the Brief-BESTest. The Brief-BESTest covers six balance components: Biomechanical Constraints, Stability Limits, Anticipatory Postural Adjustments, Postural Responses, Sensory Orientation, and Stability in Gait. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics, and Chi-square tests were conducted to examine the relationship between each balance component and LS. Cramer’s V was used to assess the strength of the relationships. The results showed the average age of the sample was 67.67 ± 6.01 years with 85.20 percent female and 14.80 percent male. There were significant relationships between LS and three balance components: Biomechanical Constraints (Chi-square = 5.35, p = 0.021, Cramer’s V = 0.209), Stability Limits (Chi-square = 5.00, p = 0.025, Cramer’s V = 0.204), and Anticipatory Postural Adjustments (left: Chi-square = 4.12, p = 0.042, Cramer’s V = 0.213; right: Chi-square = 5.50, p = 0.019, Cramer’s V = 0.213). No significant associations were found for Reactive Postural Response, Sensory Orientation, and Stability in Gait. These findings suggest that targeted interventions focusing on specific balance components consist of Biomechanical Constraints, Stability Limits, and Anticipatory Postural Adjustments could help reduce the risk of LS in older adults.

Background: Frailty is a common geriatric condition associated with increased risks of falls, disability, and functional decline. Identifying modifiable factors, including home environmental hazards, may support frailty prevention and healthy aging among community‐dwelling older adults. Objective: This study aimed to describe home environmental hazard levels across different frailty states and to examine their association with frailty among community‐dwelling older adults in southern Thailand. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 98 older adults aged 60 years and above residing in Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Frailty status was assessed using the Thai Frailty Screening Tool and categorized as non‐frail, pre‐frail, or frail. Home environmental hazards were evaluated using the Thai Home Falls Hazards Assessment Tool (Thai‐HFHAT). Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between home hazard scores and frailty status, adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), education level, marital status, and comorbidity. Results: Most participants across all frailty states lived in nonhazardous home environments. Higher home environmental hazard scores tended to be associated with more severe frailty status; however, this association did not reach statistical significance after adjustment. Education level was significantly associated with frailty, whereas age, gender, BMI, marital status, and comorbidity were not. Conclusion: Home environmental hazard levels vary across frailty states and may contribute to frailty vulnerability among older adults. Incorporating home hazard screening into community‐based health assessments may support frailty prevention strategies and aging‐in‐place initiatives.

Objective: We aimed to clarify whether having both high leg muscle strength (MS) and leg muscle endurance (ME) contributes to optimal muscle oxygenation dynamics during incremental exercise, regardless of related factors. Design: A prospective cross-sectional study. Thirty healthy young individuals were categorized into low leg MS (Low-MS group: n=15), high leg MS but low leg ME (High-MS/Low-ME group: n=8), and both high leg MS and leg ME (High-MS/High-ME group: n=7) groups. Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO ₂ ) at the vastus lateralis was measured during incremental exercise. Whole-body oxygen uptake (VO ₂ ), total hemoglobin (THb) at the vastus lateralis, sex, leg muscle mass, and adipose tissue thickness (ATT) were considered related factors. Results: The multivariate mixed regression model, with SmO ₂ change from rest to 30–100% peak VO ₂ as the dependent variable; individual as a random effect; and sex, group, leg muscle mass, ATT, THb change from rest to 30–100% peak VO ₂ , and peak VO ₂ as fixed effects, revealed that group (High-MS/High-ME group vs. High-MS/Low-ME group) significantly predicted SmO ₂ change from rest to 30–100% peak VO ₂ (estimates=26.2, P <0.001). Conclusion: Having both high leg MS and ME may contribute to optimal leg muscle oxygenation dynamics during incremental exercise, regardless of related factors.

Locomotive syndrome, characterized by impaired mobility due to musculoskeletal disorders, poses a significant public health challenge, especially in the aging population. Locomotive syndrome limits physical activity, increases fall risk, leads to dependency, and diminishes quality of life. Effective interventions are urgently required. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy in improving the symptoms of locomotive syndrome. A systematic evaluation of its effectiveness compared with other interventions is crucial for informing clinical practice and policy decisions. This systematic review and meta-analysis follows the PRISMA-P guidelines. Studies involving individuals diagnosed with locomotive syndrome, without restrictions on age, sex, or location, were included. The interventions that are reviewed encompass exercise programs, manual therapy, neuromuscular stimulation, and balance training, which are be compared with no intervention or alternative therapies. The primary outcomes include improvements in functional mobility and physical performance, a reduction in symptoms, and the progression of locomotive syndrome. Secondary outcomes include adherence to therapy, safety, quality of life, patient satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Randomized controlled and non-randomized controlled trials published in English were searched from PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PEDro, Ichushi Web, and the Thai-Journal Citation Index Center. Independent reviewers performed data extraction and assess the risk of bias. A meta-analyses was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software, with subgroup analyses to address heterogeneity. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence. This review aims to provide robust evidence on the effectiveness of physical therapy in managing locomotive syndrome and to guide clinical practice and healthcare policy decisions.