Utility of “loco-check,” self-checklist for “locomotive syndrome” as a tool for estimating the physical dysfunction of elderly people

Abstract

Aim: A new concept of locomotive syndrome has been proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association. The aim of this study is to clarify the utility of its self-checklist, "loco-check," as a tool for estimating the physical dysfunction of elderly people. Methods: Subjects were 1124 community-dwelling Japanese people, 557 men and 567 women, aged 40 -89 years. Information about the seven "loco-check" items was obtained from present inquiry sheets. Physical functions were examined by grip strength, knee extension strength, walking speed and one-leg standing time with open eyes. The averages of these test values, controlled for age and BMI, were compared between the "loco-check" (+) group and the "loco-check" (−) group. Also we examined about the trend of decline of physical function, together with SF36 physical function subscale score, as the number of the items chosen increased. Results: Adjusted average values of all four physical function examinations in the "lococheck" (+) group were significantly lower than those of the "loco-check" (−) group (all, p < 0.001). Also the adjusted average values of the majority of four tests were significantly lower in those who checked each of the "lococheck" items than those who did not, for most of the items. It was also revealed that the more items subjects checked, the lower the adjusted average values were, except for one-leg standing time. It was also the case with SF36 physical function subscale score. Conclusion: We showed the utility of "loco-check" as a simple tool not only for noticing the physical dysfunction of elderly people, but also for estimating the extent of it, except for balancing ability, particularly by counting the number of checked items.

Correlation between physical activity and hand grip strength in elderly with locomotive syndrome

“…Based on individual IPAQ-SF scores, 50% of subjects were categorized as having moderate PA, while subjects with low or high PA had the same percentage (25%). Comparing to research by Sekarsari et al 19 describing levels of PA in elderly people in Bandung, results were similar. That study used the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire to determine the subject's level of PA as MET-min, and was categorized as low, moderate and high PA which was similar to the current study and resulted also with majority of subjects as having moderate PA 19 .…”

“…Comparing to research by Sekarsari et al 19 describing levels of PA in elderly people in Bandung, results were similar. That study used the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire to determine the subject's level of PA as MET-min, and was categorized as low, moderate and high PA which was similar to the current study and resulted also with majority of subjects as having moderate PA 19 . While Otani et al 20 studied the baseline characteristics and risk of LS as well as PA using the IPAQ-SF in subjects aged 40 -80 years old in Aizu, Japan, which showed the majority of subjects aged 60 years and over fall into high PA category 20 .…”

“…That study was not specific to the LS but subjects had various comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and osteoarthritis 24 . Sekarsari et al 19 had comparable data in elderly aged 60 -90 years with average HGS value of men and women below the AWGS cut-off value. That study also was not specific to LS or other comorbidities but examined the level of PA, skeletal muscle mass and gait speed of the elderly 19 .…”

Visceral fat area is the measure of obesity best associated with mobility disability in community dwelling oldest-old Chinese adults

“…This questionnaire was originally designed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association as a self-reported checklist comprising seven physical activities related to daily living to screen for locomotive syndrome – defined as a condition of reduced mobility due to impairment of the locomotive organs [ 21 ]. Subsequent studies have shown that the Loco-Check questionnaire is also useful in estimating the extent of overall physical dysfunction in older adults [ 22 , 23 ]. Participants were scored according to the number of activities that they reported having difficulty with, and those with a total score of four or more were considered to have mobility disability [ 24 ].…”

Activity of Salivary 11&lt;i&gt;β&lt;/i&gt;-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 Becomes the Index for the Continuous Strength Exercise to Prevent Locomotive Syndrome in Japan

“…LS means being restricted in one's ability to walk or lead a normal life owing to a dysfunction in one or more of the parts of the LS (e.g., muscles, bones, joints, cartilage, or the intervertebral discs) [3]. The JOA has prepared a self-check list for this syndrome [4]. It is identified by middle-aged and older adults at high risk of requiring health care services because of problems with locomotion-associated lower skeletal muscle mass.…”