What Physical Attributes Underlie Self-Reported vs. Observed Ability to Walk 400 m in Later Life?

Abstract

Objective The aims of this study were to evaluate and contrast the physical attributes that are associated with self-reported vs. observed ability to walk 400 m among older adults. Design Analysis of baseline and 3-yr data from 1026 participants 65 yrs or older in the InCHIANTI (Invecchiare in Chianti) study was conducted. Observed and self-reported ability to walk 400 m at baseline and at 3 yrs were primary outcomes. Predictors included leg speed, leg strength, leg strength symmetry, range of motion, balance, and kyphosis. Results Balance, leg speed, leg strength, kyphosis, leg strength symmetry, and knee range of motion were associated with self-reported ability to walk 400 m at baseline (P < 0.001, c = 0.85). Balance, leg speed, and knee range of motion were associated with observed 400-m walk (P < 0.001, c = 0.85) at baseline. Prospectively, baseline leg speed and leg strength were predictive of both self-reported (P < 0.001, c = 0.79) and observed (P < 0.001, c = 0.72) ability to walk 400 m at 3 yrs. Conclusions The profiles of attributes that are associated with self-reported vs. observed walking ability differ. The factor most consistently associated with current and future walking ability is leg speed. These results draw attention to important foci for rehabilitation.

Thoracic Kyphosis and Physical Function: The Framingham Study

“…Self‐reported functional impairments were not related to kyphosis in women or men, consistent with some but not all previous studies. Our findings were in agreement with other studies that assessed degree of difficulty performing tasks that largely reflect lower extremity functioning .…”

“…Thus, evaluating self‐reported function using a broader range of tasks may better detect impairments in individuals with hyperkyphosis. Similar to the performance‐based measures, the smaller number of impaired individuals in our study (7% <65, 5% ≥65) than in others (20–25%) may have been reduced our ability to detect associations.…”

“…Finally, our sample size of adults aged 65 and older (n = 358) was smaller than in most previous studies. 9,11,13,15,34 Thus, the ability of our study to detect associations, especially those of modest size, may have been lower because of the healthier profile (with respect to kyphosis and physical function) and smaller size of our sample.…”

“…Several studies have examined the relationship between kyphosis and physical function, but the SOF was the only population‐based cohort that used the radiographic Cobb angle, considered the criterion standard, to assess severity of kyphosis, as done in the current study. Accordingly, our results were consistent with findings from SOF that observed no cross‐sectional association between kyphosis and the chair stand test, walking speed, or self‐reported impairments, although in a prospective analysis, SOF reported an association between greater baseline kyphosis and time to complete five chair stands over 15 years.…”

Targeted Exercise Training to Optimize Leg Power, Leg Speed, and Mobility in Older Adults

“…4,5 These targets were selected based on their established links to mobility limitation among older adults. 6,7 The intervention, known as In creased V elocity E xercise S pecific to T ask (InVEST), had individuals performing functional tasks using weighted vests for resistance. Exercise training was provided 3 times per week for 16 weeks.…”