Examination of the Relationship between Straight Leg Raising Repetition Count and both Knee Extension Strength and Walking Independence in Patients with Collagen Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between the straight leg raising (SLR) repetition count and both the knee extension strength (KES) and walking independence.
METHODS: We enrolled 106 inpatients aged ≥20 years with collagen disease in a cross-sectional study. We measured the SLR repetition count, KES, and walking independence of each participant. The correlations between the SLR repetition count and KES/walking independence were then examined. Furthermore, patients were divided into three groups depending on their SLR repetition count (low, medium, or high), and the differences among the groups were analyzed.
RESULTS: A moderately significant correlation was found between the SLR repetition count and KES (right: r=0.46, P<0.01; left: r=0.55, P<0.01). Moreover, there was a strong correlation between the maximum SLR repetition count and walking independence (r=0.74, P<0.01). Differences in KES and walking independence were observed among the SLR repetition groups (P<0.01). KES and walking independence in the group with a low repetition count were 0.08±0.04 kgf/kg and 1 (1-4) point, whereas the values in the group with a medium repetition count were 0.25±0.08 kgf/kg and 5 (1-7) points and those in the group with a high repetition count were 0.40±0.13 kgf/kg and 7 (4-7) points.
CONCLUSION: The SLR repetition count is related to KES and walking independence. SLR repetition counts can be used in the clinical setting for the assessment of lower limb strength and walking independence. ©2018 The Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine.