Table 3 Leg extensor strength.

From: Adults born preterm have lower peripheral skeletal muscle area and strength

 

Term

n = 53

Preterm

n = 55

Mean difference (95% CI)

P

Adjusted mean difference (95% CI)

P

Leg extensor strength, Nm

133.5 (56.2)

88.9 (41.4)

− 44.6 (− 63.4, − 25.8)

 < 0.001

− 44.7 (− 61.4, − 28.0)

 < 0.001

Leg extensor strength, Nm/kg

4.2 (1.5)

3.7 (1.3)

− 0.5 (− 1.1, − 0.0)

0.046

− 0.6 (− 1.1, − 0.0)

0.037

Leg extensor strength, Nm/cm2

0.13 (0.06)

0.10 (0.04)

− 0.03 (− 0.05, − 0.01)

0.002

− 0.03 (− 0.04, − 0.00)

 < 0.001

  1. Significant values are in bold.
  2. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. Comparisons between full-term vs preterm group were done by linear regression and adjusted for sex; P values are reported in the table. Leg extensor strength Nm and Nm/kg are the average of the maximum values obtained from the non-dominant and dominant legs. Leg extensor strength Nm/cm2 is the maximum value from the non-dominant leg normalized to the muscle surface area from ultrasound analysis.
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