Functional capacity

Hand grip strength: Hand-grip strength (kg) of the dominant or unaffected side of the arm will be measured using a hydraulic handheld dynamometer (SAEHAN). The subject should be tested in the seated position with the elbow flexed at 90°. The handle position should be adjusted to the second joint of the finger just below the handle. The participant will be asked to squeeze the dynamometer at maximal effort for three trials, with a 30-s break between each trial [Activities of daily living (ADL): The ability to perform ADL will be assessed with the Barthel index where a higher score indicates better function. The original index is a three-item ordinal rating scale completed by a therapist or other observer in 2–5 min. Each item is rated in terms of whether the patient can perform the task independently, with some assistance, or is dependent on help based on observation (0 = unable, 1 = needs help, 2 = independent).Muscle strength: Peak force of the dominant or unaffected leg’s knee extension (kg) will be measured using a Lafayette Manual Muscle Tester (Model 01163, Lafayette Instrument Company, Lafayette, IN, USA). The instrument will be operated according to the Lafayette manual by trained personnel. The participant should remain seated in a chair with back supported (hip flexed at 90°) with both arms crossed over the chest to prevent him/her from using the hands on the chair and thus enhance the strength applied against the dynamometer. The participant should be instructed to relax all parts of the body and make the effort only in the tested limb. The starting position should involve the knee being tested flexed at 80°. After the examiner’s command to start the test, the participant tries to extend the knee against the resistance applied by the examiner with the dynamometer placed 5 cm above the medial point between the lateral and medial malleolus [