Determination of the Predictors with the Greatest Influence on Walking in the Elderly
<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Previous studies have revealed that independent variables (lower extremity strength, postural control ability, and body composition) influence gait performance and variability, but the difference in the relative influence between these variables is uncle...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Medicina |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/11/1640 |
| _version_ | 1797464656200073216 |
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| author | Chul-Min Chung Sunghoon Shin Yungon Lee Do-Youn Lee |
| author_facet | Chul-Min Chung Sunghoon Shin Yungon Lee Do-Youn Lee |
| author_sort | Chul-Min Chung |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and Objectives:</i> Previous studies have revealed that independent variables (lower extremity strength, postural control ability, and body composition) influence gait performance and variability, but the difference in the relative influence between these variables is unclear. Hence, this study determines the variable that is the most influential predictor of gait performance and variability among potential independent variables in the elderly. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Seventy-eight subjects aged ≥60 years participated. For each subject, the gait variables and lower extremity muscle strength were measured using an accelerometer worn on both feet during a 6-minute walk and a manual force sensor, respectively. The static balance ability was measured through two force plates, and the body composition was measured by applying bioelectrical impedance analysis. Linear regression analyses were performed stepwise to determine whether these variables affect gait performance and variability. <i>Results:</i> After adjusting for sex and gait performance, the ankle strength, body fat mass, mean velocity in the medial–lateral direction, ankle plantar flexion strength, and girth were predictors of gait speed dorsiflexion, gait performance, swing width of the gait performance, walking speed, and gait variability, respectively. <i>Conclusions:</i> Overall, gait performance in the elderly is related to muscle strength, postural control, and body composition in a complex manner, but gait variability appears to be more closely related to ankle muscle strength. This study provides further evidence that muscle strength is important in motor function and stability. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:10:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e13eea8209264362b81a673cae720502 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:10:21Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj.art-e13eea8209264362b81a673cae7205022023-11-24T09:11:10ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442022-11-015811164010.3390/medicina58111640Determination of the Predictors with the Greatest Influence on Walking in the ElderlyChul-Min Chung0Sunghoon Shin1Yungon Lee2Do-Youn Lee3Research Institute of Human Ecology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaResearch Institute of Human Ecology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaResearch Institute of Human Ecology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaResearch Institute of Human Ecology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea<i>Background and Objectives:</i> Previous studies have revealed that independent variables (lower extremity strength, postural control ability, and body composition) influence gait performance and variability, but the difference in the relative influence between these variables is unclear. Hence, this study determines the variable that is the most influential predictor of gait performance and variability among potential independent variables in the elderly. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Seventy-eight subjects aged ≥60 years participated. For each subject, the gait variables and lower extremity muscle strength were measured using an accelerometer worn on both feet during a 6-minute walk and a manual force sensor, respectively. The static balance ability was measured through two force plates, and the body composition was measured by applying bioelectrical impedance analysis. Linear regression analyses were performed stepwise to determine whether these variables affect gait performance and variability. <i>Results:</i> After adjusting for sex and gait performance, the ankle strength, body fat mass, mean velocity in the medial–lateral direction, ankle plantar flexion strength, and girth were predictors of gait speed dorsiflexion, gait performance, swing width of the gait performance, walking speed, and gait variability, respectively. <i>Conclusions:</i> Overall, gait performance in the elderly is related to muscle strength, postural control, and body composition in a complex manner, but gait variability appears to be more closely related to ankle muscle strength. This study provides further evidence that muscle strength is important in motor function and stability.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/11/1640gaitmuscle strengthstatic balancebody composition |
| spellingShingle | Chul-Min Chung Sunghoon Shin Yungon Lee Do-Youn Lee Determination of the Predictors with the Greatest Influence on Walking in the Elderly Medicina gait muscle strength static balance body composition |
| title | Determination of the Predictors with the Greatest Influence on Walking in the Elderly |
| title_full | Determination of the Predictors with the Greatest Influence on Walking in the Elderly |
| title_fullStr | Determination of the Predictors with the Greatest Influence on Walking in the Elderly |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determination of the Predictors with the Greatest Influence on Walking in the Elderly |
| title_short | Determination of the Predictors with the Greatest Influence on Walking in the Elderly |
| title_sort | determination of the predictors with the greatest influence on walking in the elderly |
| topic | gait muscle strength static balance body composition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/58/11/1640 |
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