Defining Clinically Meaningful Cut Points for Leg Power Impairment Using Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Secondary Analysis From Boston RISE.

The study was cross-sectional, so it shows an association between low leg power and current mobility limitation, but it does not prove that raising leg power above these thresholds will improve mobility or prevent future decline. The participants were recruited from primary care and were already at risk for mobility decline, so these thresholds may not apply to healthier older adults or those in different geographic or demographic settings. The Stair Climb Power Test may be influenced by factors other than pure leg power, such as poor coordination, vision loss, or balance issues. The thresholds have not yet been validated in prospective studies to confirm they predict falls, hospitalizations, or other adverse events.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Do not assume that achieving these power thresholds will guarantee improved mobility or prevent falls. These cut points identify current mobility limitation in this specific population, but their predictive value for future outcomes and their response to intervention have not yet been validated.