Gait speed correlates in a multiracial population of community-dwelling older adults living in Brazil: a cross-sectional population-based study

Abstract

BackgroundGait speed is a strong predictor of a wide range of adverse health outcomes in older adults. Mean values for gait speed in community-dwelling older adults vary substantially depending on population characteristics, suggesting that social, biological, or health factors might explain why certain groups tend to self-select their gait speed in different patterns. The vast majority of studies reported in the literature present data from North American and European populations. There are few population-based studies from other regions with a different ethnicity and/or social and health conditions. To address this, the present study identified the mean usual and fast gait speeds in a representative multiracial population of community-dwelling older adults living in a developing country, and explored their association with sociodemographic, mental and physical health characteristics.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional population-based study of a sample of 137 men and 248 women, aged 65 years and over. Usual gait speed and fast gait speed were measured on a 4.6 m path. Participants were classified into slow, intermediate, and faster groups by cluster analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the independent effect of each factor on the odds of presenting with a slower usual and slower fast gait speeds.ResultsParticipants had a mean (SD) usual gait speed of 1.11 (0.27) m/s and a mean fast gait speed of 1.39 (0.34) m/s. We did not observe an independent association between gait speed and race/ethnicity, educational level, or income. The main contributors to present a slower usual gait speed were low physical activity level, stroke, diabetes, urinary incontinence, high concern about falling, and old age. A slower fast gait speed was associated with old age, low physical activity, urinary incontinence and high concern about falling.ConclusionA multiracial population of older adults living in a developing country showed a similar mean gait speed to that observed in previously studied populations. The results suggest that low physical activity, urinary incontinence and high concern about falling should not be neglected and may help identify those who might benefit from early intervention.

Gait speed and overactive bladder in the healthy community‐dwelling super elderly: The Sukagawa Study

“…Given the fact that our participants were much older than those included in the previous study, it may be considered that our study participants were healthier than the majority of community‐dwelling elderly adults in Japan. Moreover, the mean gait speed of our participants was comparable or superior to those reported previously in studies conducted among community dwellers in other countries, although the walking distance analyzed in our study differed from those studies …”

“…Moreover, the mean gait speed of our participants was comparable or superior to those reported previously in studies conducted among community dwellers in other countries, although the walking distance analyzed in our study differed from those studies. 7,18 As mentioned above, only one previous observational study has evaluated the association between a physical frailty indicator and OAB. In this previous study, frailty was measured by TUGT and a slow TUGT exhibited a significant association with a diagnosis of OAB in patients who presented to an academic urology practice, although the authors did not investigate BMI, muscle mass, or strength.…”

Factores asociados a velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de un distrito en Lima, Perú

“…Diferentes estudios revelan que existen determinantes físicos, tanto modificables como no modificables, en el enlentecimiento de la marcha en adultos mayores (6)(7)(8) , sin embargo, en el presente estudio se demuestra que una velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de la comunidad está asociada también a un factor social, lo cual revela la importancia del efecto del entorno en el que se desenvuelve el adulto mayor sobre el desempeño físico y la génesis de la futura discapacidad y dependencia.…”

“…Con respecto a los determinantes físicos no modificables se encontró asociación entre el sexo femenino y el incremento de la edad con la velocidad de marcha lenta, hallazgo que ha sido ampliamente demostrado (6)(7)(8)25) . Esta fuerte asociación se basa en la alteración progresiva, conforme avanza la edad, del tamaño y fuerza muscular, de la composición corporal y la capacidad aeróbica, importantes determinantes de la marcha (8) .…”

“…Diversos estudios epidemiológicos sobre los factores contribuyentes y asociados a una velocidad de la marcha lenta muestran información que varía según el escenario y la población estudiada (6)(7)(8) . Estos hallazgos sugieren la existencia de determinantes ajenos a la propia edad que de estar presentes puedan contribuir a detectar precozmente una velocidad de la marcha lenta en adultos mayores aparentemente sanos; por ello es necesario identificar aquellos factores que, al no depender de la edad, sean modificables y permitan intervenir en mejorar la velocidad de la marcha.…”