This observational study aims to learn about peripheral muscle strength in healthy adults and people with chronic respiratory diseases. The study aims to develop reference data for quadriceps muscle strength and handgrip in adults living in Southern Europe and to assess whether these reference data can be used in people with chronic respiratory diseases.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* What are the normal values for quadriceps and handgrip muscle strength in healthy adults aged 18-89 years living in Spain, Portugal and Italy? * Can the reference values developed in healthy adults be applied to people with chronic respiratory diseases?
Participants will attend one study visit. During this visit, researchers will:
* Measure quadriceps muscle strength and handgrip. * Collect information about age, sex, height, weight and other health characteristics. * Perform simple functional tests related to mobility and physical performance. * Ask participants to complete questionnaires about symptoms, physical activity and health-related quality of life.
Age between 18-89 years.
Spanish, Portuguese or Italian, or permanently resident in one of those countries for at least five years.
Be community-dwelling (i.e., not hospitalised or institutionalised).
Be functionally independent and capable of performing study assessments without assistance or limiting pain.
Acute or chronic musculoskeletal conditions affecting strength: recent fractures, severe osteoarthrosis, ligament injury, acute tendinitis in hands/knee areas, among others.
Recent surgery (e.g., within the past six months) in upper or lower limbs.
Neuromuscular disorders: Parkinson, multiple sclerosis, stroke, peripheral neuropathies, among others.
Non-communicable diseases affecting strength or functional status: active cancer, any unstable heart diseases; any CRD; active rheumatological diseases, obesity (BMI≥30kg/m2), uncontrolled metabolic diseases, among others (not included: controlled dyslipidaemia or arterial hypertension).
Community-dwelling healthy adults and adults with chronic respiratory diseases recruited from participating centres in Spain, Portugal and Italy. Healthy participants will be recruited from the general population to develop reference equations and normative values for isometric quadriceps and handgrip strength. Participants with chronic respiratory diseases will be recruited from clinical settings to externally validate the developed reference equations and assess their clinical applicability.
Cohort
Cross-sectional
Not listed
Isometric quadriceps muscle strength
Quadricpes maximum voluntary contraction measured using a handheld dynamometer according to the standardised RESTart protocol. Strength will be recorded as the highest value obtained during the assessment and expressed in kilograms-force (kgf).
Handgrip
Handgrip mMaximum voluntary contraction measured using a hydraulic handgrip dynamometer according to standardised assessment procedures. Strength will be recorded as the highest value obtained during the assessment and expressed in kilograms-force (kgf).
Five-repetition sit-to-stand test
Functional capacity assessed by the time required to complete five sit-to-stand repetitions according to standardised procedures. Results will be expressed in seconds. Lower values indicate better lower-limb functional capacity.
One-minute sit-to-stand test
Functional capacity assessed as the number of sit-to-stand repetitions completed in one minute according to standardised procedures. Higher values indicate better functional exercise capacity.
Timed Up and Go test
Mobility and dynamic balance assessed using the Timed Up and Go test. Results will be expressed in seconds. Lower values indicate better mobility and dynamic balance.
Modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale
Dyspnoea severity assessed using the modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale. Scores range from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater breathlessness.
Age
Participant age recorded in completed years.
Weight
Participant weight recorded in kilograms.
Height
Participant height recorded in metres.
Body mass index
Body mass index calculated as weight divided by height squared.
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