Correlates of gait speed in a sample of physically active elderly - 21/03/14
Abstract |
Objectives |
Gait speed (GS) is an important predictor of disability, falls, institutionalization and death among elderly people. Our aim was to assess which factors are associated with higher GS in a sample of physically active elderly.
Subjects and methods |
A cross-sectional study was performed in a sample of 43 self-sufficient and active elderly (12 men and 31 women) aged 65–82 years. Anthropometric features (weight and height), mobility (Tinetti test), physical and mental health (Short Form 12 - SF12 questionnaire), physical activity (Physical Activity Scale for Elderly - PASE questionnaire), strength and power of lower limbs (Myotest Pro accelerometer) and GS were measured. A multivariable linear regression model was built in order to identify which variables were associated with higher GS.
Results |
The final multivariable linear regression model included gender, fall in the previous year, hypertension, age, BMI and Mental Health score. Furthermore, it explained nearly 2/3 of the variability in GS (R2=0.64). Male sex, hypertension and a higher Mental Health score were associated with higher GS, whereas fall in the previous year and higher values of both age and BMI were associated with lower GS. A further model which included an interaction between sex and BMI (R2=0.68) revealed that the negative association between GS and BMI was found among women but not among men.
Conclusions |
In addition to the well-known associations between GS and demographic and anthropometric characteristics, we reported a positive association between mental health and GS among generally healthy and physically active community-dwelling elderly.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Gait speed, Elderly, Cross-sectional study
Plan
Vol 5 - N° 2
P. 82-86 - avril 2014 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?