Postural balance and physical activity in daily life (PADL) in physically independent older adults with different levels of aerobic exercise capacity.

Balance impairs with aging and may cause mobility limitations and functional decline. We aimed to evaluate postural balance and PADL in physically independent older adults with different levels of exercise capacity. One hundred fifty seven physically independent individuals, aged 60 years or older were evaluated. Postural balance assessment was performed during one-legged stance test using a force-platform and maximum exercise capacity with the incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT). PADL was assessed subjectively by the modified Baecke questionnaire and objectively using a pedometer. Based on the performance achieved in the ISWT, according to the percentage of the predicted value, the older adults were separated into 3 groups: low performance group (LP group, ISWT < 80% predicted, n = 32, 19 women), normal performance group (NP group, 80 ≤ ISWT ≤ 100% predicted, n = 30, 22 women) and high performance group (HP group, ISWT > 100% predicted, n = 95, 67 women). The HP group showed better postural balance when compared to LP groups (p < 0.001) and also higher levels of PADL measured with pedometer (p < 0.001). There was a modest correlation (r = 0.45) between exercise capacity and PADL in the LP group and a weak correlation between exercise capacity and balance (r = -28) in the HP group. Physically independent older adults with more preserved exercise capacity have better postural balance and higher levels of PADL in comparison to those older adults who show a poorer condition in terms of exercise capacity.

Reference values for the incremental shuttle walking test.

BACKGROUND: Reference values for the incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT) which are applicable to the whole population need to be solidly established. This study aimed to determine which anthropometric and demographic variables influence the walking distance achieved in the ISWT in healthy subjects with a broad age range and to establish a reference equation for predicting ISWT for that population. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 242 healthy subjects (102 male) performed two ISWT and had their weight, height and body mass index (BMI) measured. RESULTS: In general, healthy subjects walked 810 [IQR 25-75%: 572-1030] m in the ISWT, presenting large variability (range 210-1820 m). The walked distance correlated with age (r = -0.76), height (r = 0.49) and BMI (r = -0.23) (p < 0.001 for all), but not with weight (r = 0.06, p = 0.315). A model of stepwise multiple regression showed that gender, age and BMI were independent contributors to the ISWT in healthy subjects, explaining 71% (p < 0.0001) of the variability. The derived reference equation was: ISWT(pred) = 1449.701 - (11.735 × age) + (241.897 × gender) - (5.686 × BMI), where male gender = 1 and female gender = 0. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the variability of the ISWT is explained largely by gender, age and BMI. The reference values for the ISWT can be adequately predicted using the equation proposed in this study.