Longitudinal association of sleep quality with physical performance measures: SABE cohort study, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal association of sleep with physical performance in a representative sample of non-institutionalised older adults residing in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: The current longitudinal study used data extracted from the Health, Well-being, and Aging Study (Estudo Saúde Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento [SABE]). The study population consisted of individuals aged ≥60 years who participated in the study in 2010 or 2015. Dependent variables included the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and gait speed. Independent variables of interest were self-reported sleep difficulty, daytime sleepiness and sleep quality. The longitudinal association between sleep variables and the outcomes was evaluated using Generalised Estimating Equations (GEE) Models adjusted for covariates. All the variables, except age, sex and schooling, were assessed at baseline and follow-up visits (2010 and 2015). RESULTS: The analyses included 2205 observations from 1559 individuals. The population mean age was 72 years in 2010 and 71 years in 2015, with a higher prevalence of women in both years. Between 2010 and 2015, there was a decline in the SPPB score and gait speed. Daytime sleepiness was negatively associated with the SPPB score [Coef.: -0.38 (95% confidence interval {CI}: -0.56, -0.21)] and gait speed [Coef.: -0.03 (95% CI: -0.05, -0.01)]. Poor sleep quality was negatively associated with the SPPB score [Coef.: -0.29 (95% CI: -0.57, -0.01)] and gait speed [Coef.: -0.03 (95% CI: -0.06, -0.00)]. CONCLUSIONS: Daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality are associated with compromised physical performance in non-institutionalised older adults, and this association remained consistent over time.

Association between Gait Speed and Balance Disorders in Older Adults from 12 High Andean Peruvian Communities, 2013-2019.

BACKGROUND: Gait speed is associated with a higher prevalence of balance disorders in older adults residing at high altitudes. This study investigated this association in older adults from 12 high-altitude Andean Peruvian communities. METHODS: We performed a secondary data analysis from an analytical cross-sectional study of adults >60 years of age, residing in 12 high-altitude Andean Peruvian communities, enrolled between 2013 and 2019. The exposure and outcome variables were gait speed (categorized in tertiles), and balance disorders (defined as a functional reach value of ≤20.32 cm), respectively. We built generalized linear models of the Poisson family with a logarithmic link function and robust variances, and estimated crude prevalence ratios (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: We analyzed 418 older adults; 38.8% (n=162) were male, and the mean age was 73.2±6.9 years. The mean gait speed and functional reach were 0.66±0.24 m/s and 19.9±6.48 cm, respectively. In the adjusted regression model, the intermediate (aPR=1.88; 95% CI, 1.39-2.55; p<0.001) and low (aPR=2.04; 95% CI, 1.51-2.76; p<0.001) tertiles of gait speed were associated with a higher prevalence of balance disorders. CONCLUSION: The intermediate and low tertiles of gait speed were associated with a higher prevalence of balance disorders among older adult residents of 12 high-altitude Andean communities. We recommend further research on the behavior of this association to propose interventions for these vulnerable groups and reduce the impact of geriatric conditions.

Correlación entre la Velocidad de Marcha y Largo del Paso en Personas Mayores de la Cuarta Edad que Viven en la Comunidad / Correlation between Walking Speed and Step Length in Seniors Living in the Community

Introducción. La población de personas mayores de la cuarta edad (≥80 años) crece a gran velocidad. Esta se diferencia de la tercera edad en cuanto a su funcionalidad. Es sabido que mientras menor sea la velocidad de la marcha en esta población, mayor es el riesgo de deterioro cognitivo, sarcopenia, discapacidad e institucionalización. La velocidad de marcha disminuida es un predictor importante de deterioro en el rendimiento físico. Objetivo. Determinar la correlación entre la velocidad de marcha, fuerza de miembros inferiores y largo del paso en personas mayores de cuarta edad que viven en la comunidad. Métodos. Estudio transversal en personas mayores saludables de la cuarta edad (n=14; 8 mujeres; 88 ± 3 años; 26,3 ± 3,4 kg·m-2) que fueron sometidas a evaluaciones de rendimiento físico, tales como largo del paso; fuerza de miembros inferiores a través de 1 Repetición Máxima (1RM) de extensión de rodilla en ambos miembros inferiores y velocidad de marcha en 4 metros. Los datos se presentan como media±desviación estándar. Se consideró un valor de P significativo < 0.05. Resultados. Se observó una correlación positiva moderada entre el largo del paso y la velocidad de marcha (R=0,794; P=0,001). No existieron correlaciones entre la fuerza de miembros inferiores y largo del paso (R=0,478; P=0,084), tampoco entre las variables de fuerza y velocidad de marcha (R=0,441; P=0.115). Conclusión. Las personas mayores de cuarta edad presentan una correlación positiva entre su velocidad de marcha y largo del paso.

Background. The population of people older than the fourth age (≥80 years) is growing rapidly. This differs from the third age in terms of its functionality. It is known that the lower the gait speed in this population, the greater the risk of cognitive impairment, sarcopenia, disability and institutionalization. Decreased gait speed is an important predictor of deterioration in physical performance. Objetive. To determine the correlation between gait speed, lower limb strength and stride length in fourth age people (≥80 years) who live in the community. Methods. Cross-sectional study in healthy older people of the fourth age (n=14; 8 women; 88 ± 3 years; 26.3 ± 3.4 kg·m-2) who underwent physical performance evaluations, such as long of the step; strength of lower limbs through 1 Maximum Repetition (1RM) of knee extension in both lower limbs and walking speed in 4 meters. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. A significant P value < 0.05 was considered. Results. A moderate positive correlation was observed between stride length and gait speed (R=0.794; P=0.001). There were no correlations between the strength of the lower limbs and stride length (R=0.478; P=0.084), nor between the variables of strength and gait speed (R=0.441; P=0.115). Conclusion. Fourth age older people older present a positive correlation between their walking speed and stride length.

Independent and joint association of sarcopenia and frailty with mortality in older patients with gastrointestinal cancer: a cohort study with prospective data collection.

PURPOSE: Sarcopenia and frailty are associated with mortality in older patients with gastrointestinal cancer. However, it is unclear if there is an additional risk when both are present. This study aimed to investigate the independent and overlapping of sarcopenia and frailty with mortality in this population. METHODS: A prospective cohort study including older patients (≥ 60 years old) with gastrointestinal cancer. Sarcopenia was defined by the EWGSP2 criteria: (i) low muscle strength (handgrip test), (ii) low muscle mass (skeletal muscle index), and/or low muscle quality (skeletal muscle radiodensity) by computed tomography. Frailty was defined according to Fried phenotype (at least three of the five components): (i) low muscle strength (handgrip test), (ii) unintentional weight loss, (iii) self-reported exhaustion, (iv) low physical activity, and (v) low gait speed. Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess overall survival rates and risk of mortality. RESULTS: We evaluated 179 patients with gastrointestinal cancer [68.0 (61.0-75.0) years old; 45% women]. The prevalence of sarcopenia, frailty, and sarcopenia-frailty was 32.9% (n = 59), 59.2% (n = 106), and 24.6% (n = 44), respectively. The incidence of mortality was 27.9% (n = 50) over a 23-month (IQR, 10, 28) period. There was an association of sarcopenia (HR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.03-3.06) with mortality, but no association was found of frailty and the outcome. Sarcopenia-frailty was associated with the highest risk of mortality (HR = 2.23, 95% CI 1.27-3.92). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenic-frail older patients with gastrointestinal cancer have a higher risk of mortality than those with sarcopenia or frailty alone, which reinforces the importance of assessing both conditions in oncology clinical care.

Gait speed according to cognitive status in older adults: a cross-sectional study in a resource-limited country.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the association between gait speed and cognitive status in outpatient older adults from a resource-limited setting in Peru. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study including older adults aged ≥60 years attending a geriatrics outpatient clinic between July 2017 and February 2020. Gait speed was measured over a 10-meters distance without considering the first and last meter traveled. Cognitive status was assessed through the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We used a multivariate binomial logistic regression to conduct both an epidemiological and fully adjusted models. RESULTS: We included 519 older adults (mean age: 75 years; IQR = 10), of whom 95 (18.3%) and 151 (31.5%) were cognitively impaired according to the SPMSQ and MMSE, respectively. Gait speed was slower among patients with poorer cognitive status as assessed by both tools (p < 0.001). Malnutrition (PR: 1.74; CI: 1.45-2.08) and functional dependency (PR: 4.35; CI: 2.68-7.08) were associated with a greater prevalence of cognitive impairment according to the SPMSQ, whereas a faster gait speed (PR: 0.27, CI: 0.14-0.52) and longer years of education (PR: 0.83, CI: 0.77-0.88) were associated with a less prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Slower gait speed was associated with poorer cognitive status in outpatient older adults. Gait speed may be a complementary tool in the cognitive assessment of older adults from resource-limited settings.

Gait speed, muscle strength, and functional status predict 30-day unplanned hospital readmission of critical care survivors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite intense efforts, predicting hospital readmission risks remains an imprecise task. Growing evidence suggests that unmeasured patient-related factors, such as functional impairment, seem to be strongly associated with acute readmission and have yet to be extensively explored. We hypothesized that gait speed, hand grip strength, and the Functional independence measure (FIM) might be associated with acute rehospitalization rates after an ICU stay. METHODS: In our study, we assessed gait speed using a 10-m walk test. Muscle strength was determined by a hydraulic handgrip dynamometer and functional status through the FIM. Our primary outcome was the cumulative incidence of the first unplanned early rehospitalization (occurring within 30 days of hospital discharge) for the entire cohort, and a Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the accuracy of gait speed, handgrip strength, and FIM domains in predicting hospital readmission. RESULTS: ROC analysis indicated that the gait speed (AUC 0.96 95% CI 0.93 to 0.99), FIM score (AUC 0.96 95% CI 0.94 to 0.99) and handgrip strength (0.85 95% CI 0.76 to 0.94) were considered accurate predictors of unplanned readmission in the population studied. Additionally, we found that each 0.1 m/s lower gait speed was associated with a 10% higher odd of unplanned readmissions. CONCLUSION: Hence, our results suggest gait speed, handgrip strength and functional status demonstrated high potential to contribute to the determination of 30-day unplanned hospital readmission prediction of critical care survivors.

Assessment of the components of sarcopenia and quality of life perceived of individuals on hemodialysis / Evaluación de componentes de sarcopenia y calidad de vida percibida de individuos en hemodiálisis / Avaliação dos componentes da sarcopenia e qualidade de vida percebida de indivíduos em hemodiálise

ABSTRACT Objectives: to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia in individuals aged 50 years or older on hemodialysis; to verify the association between sarcopenia and sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric factors, components of sarcopenia and quality of life (QoL); and to correlate the components of sarcopenia with QoL. Methods: Participated 83 individuals on hemodialysis. Sarcopenia was established according to the current European consensus. Dynamometry to determine strength, calf circumference (CC) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMMI) to obtain muscle mass and gait speed (GS) for physical performance. For QoL used the WHOQOL-bref. Results: the prevalence of sarcopenia was 32.6% (CC) and 18.1% (ASMMI). There was no association between sarcopenia and QoL. Both handgrip strength (r=0.25) and GS (r=0.36) showed a correlation with physical domain. Conclusions: sarcopenia was expressive, and the aspects of functionality determine the physical impairment in this population.

RESUMEN Objetivos: evaluar la prevalencia de sarcopenia en individuos de 50 años o más en hemodiálisis, verificar la asociación entre la sarcopenia y factores sociodemográficos, clínicos, antropométricos, componentes de la sarcopenia y la calidad de vida (CV), y para correlacionar los componentes de la sarcopenia con la CV. Métodos: Participaron 83 individuos en hemodiálisis. La sarcopenia se estableció de acuerdo con el consenso europeo vigente. Dinamometría para determinar la fuerza, la circunferencia de la pantorrilla (CP) y el índice de masa muscular esquelética apendicular (IMMEA) para obtener la masa muscular y la velocidad de la marcha (VM) para el rendimiento físico. Para CV el WHOQOL-bref. Resultados: la prevalencia de sarcopenia fue de 32,6% (CP) y 18,1% (IMMEA). No hubo asociación entre sarcopenia y CV. Tanto la fuerza de prensión manual (r=0,25) como la VM (r=0,36) se correlacionaron con el dominio físico. Conclusiones: la sarcopenia fue significativa y los aspectos de funcionalidad, determinan el deterioro físico en esta población.

RESUMO Objetivos: avaliar a prevalência de sarcopenia em indivíduos com 50 anos ou mais em hemodiálise, verificar a associação entre a sarcopenia e os fatores sociodemográficos, clínicos, antropométricos, componentes da sarcopenia e qualidade de vida (QV), e correlacionar os componentes da sarcopenia com a QV. Métodos: Participaram 83 indivíduos em hemodiálise. A sarcopenia foi estabelecida segundo consenso europeu vigente. A dinamometria para determinação da força, a circunferência da panturrilha (CP) e o índice de massa muscular esquelética apendicular (IMMEA) para a obtenção da massa muscular e a velocidade de caminhada (VC) para o desempenho físico. Para QV utilizou-se WHOQOL-bref. Resultados: a prevalência de sarcopenia foi de 32,6% (CP) e 18,1% (IMMEA). Não houve associação entre a sarcopenia e QV. Tanto a força de preensão manual (r=0,25) quanto a VC (r=0,36) apresentaram correlação com domínio físico. Conclusões: a sarcopenia foi expressiva e os aspectos da funcionalidade determinam o comprometimento físico nessa população.

Six-month change in gait speed to discriminate between those with and without falls history in older people with Mild Cognitive Impairment and mild Alzheimer disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to identify differences in gait speed performance over 6 months between older people with Preserved Cognition (PrC), with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and with Alzheimer disease (AD) in mild stage; and to verify if the change in gait speed could discriminate fallers in older people with MCI and AD in a mild stage METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted with community-dwelling older adults, including 40 with PrC, 36 with MCI and 34 with AD in the mild stage. Gait speed (in m/s) changes were captured through a 10-meter walk test. We documented the number of self-reported falls by monthly calendars that were returned after a 6-month follow-up. During this period, the participants received monthly telephone calls to remind them to fill in the calendar RESULTS: There was a significant difference in terms of sex and age between the groups: 23%, 31% and 19% were female and had a mean age of 72.8, 75.9 and 76.9 years in the PrC, MCI and AD groups respectively. During the follow-up, 45%, 52.7% and 52.9% of the PrC, MCI and AD groups fell. The MCI and AD groups presented lower gait speed compared to the PrC Group at both moments. There was no significant difference in the change of gait speed between groups. In the model adjusted by age, the change in gait speed failed to discriminate fallers in older people with MCI and with AD CONCLUSION: Older people with MCI and AD in the mild stage present lower gait speed compared to older people with PrC. Changes in gait speed over a short period of time do not discriminate fallers in older people with MCI or AD in a mild stage.

Exploring Mediation Effects of Gait Speed, Body Balance, and Falls in the Relationship between Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Vulnerable Older Adults.

The present study aimed to examine whether gait speed (GS), body balance (BB), and falls mediated the relationship between physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in community-dwelling older adults. This is a cross-sectional study that included 305 men and 314 women (69.5 ± 5.6 years), residing in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Portugal. HRQoL and PA were assessed using the SF-36 and Baecke Questionnaires, respectively. While BB was obtained by the Fullerton Advance Balance (FAB) scale, GS by the 50-foot (15 m) walk test, and the frequency of falls was obtained by self-report. According to the analyses, when GS and BB were placed concomitantly as mediators, the direct effect revealed by the model revealed a non-significant relationship between PA and falls. Thus, in the context of falls, GS and BB partially mediated the association between PA and HRQoL in approximately 29.7%, 56%, and 49.2%, respectively. The total HRQoL model explained a variance of 36.4%. The results can help to understand the role that GS, BB, and falls play in the relationship between PA and HRQoL of the vulnerable older adult population.

Muscle Weakness and Walking Slowness for the Identification of Sarcopenia in the Older Adults from Northern Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly people from Northern Brazil according to muscle weakness or walking slowness. Methods: The sample consisted of 312 elderly people (72.6 ± 7.8 years). For walking slowness, a gait speed ≤ 0.8 m/s was used as a cut-off value, and for muscle weakness the following handgrip strength criteria were used for men and women, respectively: CI: <27.0/16.0 kg; CII: <35.5/20.0 kg; CIII: grip strength corrected for body mass index (BMI) < 1.05/0.79; CIV: grip strength corrected for total fat mass: <1.66/0.65; CV: grip strength corrected for body mass: <0.45/0.34. Results: Walking speed was reduced in 27.0% of women and 15.2% of men (p < 0.05). According to grip strength criteria, 28.5% of women and 30.4% of men (CI), 58.0% of women and 75.0% of men (CII), 66.0% of women and 39.3% of men (CIII), 28.8% of women and 19.6% of men (CIV), and 56.5% of women and 50.0% of men (CV) were identified as having sarcopenia. Conclusions: Walking slowness is more prevalent in women and muscle weakness is more prevalent in men in Northern Brazil. Walking slowness proved to be more concordant with muscle weakness in both sexes when the CI for handgrip strength was adopted.

Functional mobility and 10-year all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older people from São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of performance in functional mobility tasks related to the mortality patterns for the different causes of death for the Brazilian older population is still a challenge. OBJECTIVE: To analyze if gait speed and chair stand test performance are associated with mortality in older adults, and if the overall mobility status changes the effect of other mortality risk factors. METHODS: The data were from SABE (Health, Well-being and Aging Study), a multiple-cohort study conducted in São Paulo, Brazil, with a representative sample of people aged 60 and more. Cox regression models were used to analyze 10-year all-cause and cause-specific mortality with consideration for gait speed and the chair stand test. RESULTS: Of the 1411 participants, 26% died during the follow-up. The performance in the chair stand test had a more consistent association with mortality (hazard ratio (HR)=1.03, 95%CI: 1.00, 1.05) than gait speed. Being unable to perform the test also increased the risk to die by all-cause (HR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.21, 2.42) and by diseases of the circulatory system (HR=2.14, 95%CI: 1.25, 3.65). The stratified analysis of mobility performance changed the effects of some of the mortality risk factors, such as cognitive impairment and multimorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The chair stand test could be a better choice than 3-meters walking test as a mortality predictor. In addition, the impact of cognitive decline and multimorbidity were greater among those with reduced mobility, supporting the development of preventive interventions and public policies targeted at more vulnerable groups of older adults.

Role of arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction on lower limb performance in older adults with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To verify whether arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction influence lower limb muscle strength and gait speed in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Cross-sectional study including seventy-eight older adults with T2DM (aged 67 ± 6 years and 42 % male). Arterial stiffness was assessed using pulse wave velocity (PWV), while endothelial function was measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Lower limb muscle strength and gait speed were assessed using the 30-second chair stand test (30s-CST) and 10-Meter Walk Test, respectively. RESULTS: Both PWV (m/s) and FMD (%) were univariately associated with number of repetitions in 30s-CST and gait speed (P < 0.05). After control for age, sex and body mass index, PWV remained associated with repetitions in 30s-CST (95 % CI: -0.494 to -0.054; P = 0.015) and gait speed (95 % CI: -0.039 to -0.002; P = 0.031). After adjustments for control variables, T2DM duration and glycemic control, FMD was associated with repetitions in 30s-CST (95 % CI: 0.008 to 0.324; P = 0.039) and gait speed (95 % CI: 0.011 to 0.038; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In older adults with T2DM, both arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are associated with decreased leg muscle strength and slower gait speed.

Slow gait speed is associated with dynapenic obesity in Mexican ambulatory older adults.

An increased risk of slow gait speed (GS) has been reported among older adults with decreased muscle strength, coupled with a concomitant increase in body fat known as dynapenic obesity (DO); however, these two conditions together have rarely been studied. The objective of this study was to determine the association between GS and DO in older Mexican ambulatory adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted; body fat percentage, and muscle strength and GS using EWGSOP criteria, were measured in 126 older ambulatory Mexican adults, with a mean age of 71 years old. The association was evaluated using controlled logistic regression models. Among ambulatory older adults with slow GS, the risk of DO was 3.4 times higher than among those without, controlling for age and sex (p<0.01). In conclusion, slow GS in ambulatory older adults can be a useful indicator for the early identification of DO.

Phase angle, muscle mass, and functionality in patients with Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of phase angle (PA) with clinical and nutritional aspects in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) treated in an outpatient clinic in northeastern Brazil. METHODS: This is a case series study involving adults and the elderly with PD of both genders. We collected data such as stage, severity, and time of diagnosis of the disease, muscle strength, gait speed, and level of physical activity. We evaluated the nutritional status using body mass index, calf circumference, skeletal appendicular muscle mass index, and the presence of sarcopenia. We obtained the PA through the analysis by electrical bioimpedance. After obtaining the result of the division between reactance and resistance, with later transformation into degrees, we multiplied the result by 180/π. RESULTS: We evaluated 77 individuals with a mean age of 65.4 ± 8.9 years. 63.6% of them had reduced PA values and 19.7% of them had sarcopenia. Age (rho = - 0.423; p = < 0.001) was inversely correlated with PA. Skeletal appendicular muscle mass index (rho = 0.251; p = 0.028), pressure force (rho = 0.240; p = 0.035), and gait speed (rho = 0.323; p = 0.005) showed a direct correlation with age. When adjusted for confounding factors, only age remained associated with PA (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Most individuals had reduced PA, and only age was associated with this result. Aging is a risk factor for reducing muscle mass and physical disability in PD. Although this study indicates a relationship between PA, age, muscle mass, and functionality, further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Muscular Function as an Alternative to Identify Cognitive Impairment: A Secondary Analysis From SABE Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Identification of cognitive impairment is based traditionally on the neuropsychological tests and biomarkers that are not available widely. This study aimed to establish the association between motor function (gait speed and handgrip strength) and cognitive performance in the Mini-Mental State Examination, globally and by domains. A secondary goal was calculating a cut-off point for gait speed and handgrip strength to classify older adults as cognitively impaired. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of SABE Colombia (Salud, Bienestar & Envejecimiento), a survey that was conducted in 2015 on health, wellbeing, and aging in Colombia. This study used linear regression models to search for an association between motor function and cognitive performance. The accuracy of motor function measurements in identifying cognitive impairment was assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. This study also analyzed other clinical and sociodemographical variables. RESULTS: Gait speed was associated with orientation (r 2 = 0.16), language (r 2 = 0.15), recall memory (r 2 = 0.14), and counting (r 2 = 0.08). Similarly, handgrip strength was associated with orientation (r 2 = 0.175), language (r 2 = 0.164), recall memory (r 2 = 0.137), and counting (r 2 = 0.08). To differentiate older adults with and without cognitive impairment, a gait speed cut-off point of 0.59 m/s had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.629 (0.613-0.646), and a weak handgrip (strength below 17.5 kg) had an AUC of 0.653 (0.645-0.661). The cut-off points for handgrip strength and gait speed were significantly higher in male participants. CONCLUSIONS: Gait speed and handgrip strength are similarly associated with the cognitive performance, exhibiting the most extensive association with orientation and language domains of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Gait speed and handgrip strength can easily be measured by any clinician, and they prove to be useful screening tools to detect cognitive impairment.

Gait speed as a predictor of mortality in older men with cancer: A longitudinal study in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Given the increase in incidence and mortality from cancer in recent years in Latin America and Peru, it is necessary to identify frailty older adults at higher risk of disability, hospitalizations and mortality. However, its measure is complex and requires time. For this reason, it has been proposed that frailty can be evaluated by a single measure, as gait speed. We aimed to evaluate the role of gait speed as a predictor of mortality in older men with cancer in Peru. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out that included military veterans (aged 60 years and older) with an oncological diagnosis evaluated at the Centro Médico Naval in Peru during the period 2013-2015. Slow gait speed was defined as <0.8 m/s. All-cause mortality was recorded during a 2-year follow-up. Sociodemographic characteristics, medical and personal history, and functional assessment measures were collected. We performed Cox regression analysis to calculate hazard ratios with their respective 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: 922 older men were analyzed from 2013 to 2015, 56.9% (n = 525) of whom were >70 years of age. 41.3% (n = 381) had slow gait speed with a mortality incidence of 22.9% (n = 211) at the end of follow-up. The most frequent types of cancer in the participants who died were of the lung and airways (26.1%), liver and bile ducts (23.2%), and lymphomas and leukemias (16.6%). In the adjusted Cox regression analysis, we found that slow gait speed was a risk factor for mortality in older men with cancer (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.55; 95% confidence interval: 1.21-2.23). CONCLUSIONS: Slow gait speed was associated with an increased risk of mortality in older men with cancer. Gait speed could represent a simple, useful, inexpensive, rapidly applicable marker of frailty for the identification of older men at higher risk of mortality. Gait speed could be useful in low- and middle-income countries, and in rural areas with limited access to health services.

Usual and dual-task gait adaptations under visual stimulation in older adults at different ages.

BACKGROUND: During the walk along the streets, older adults are exposed to various visual stimuli that can affect their gait in a harmful or beneficial way. AIMS: To evaluate gait strategies during different situations with and without visual stimulation in older adults to identify the influence of the visual stimulus on these gait parameters. METHODS: A total of 200 older adults were divided into 4 groups according to age range between 60 and 102 years. Gait was evaluated in the following situations: (1) habitual gait (HG); (2) gait with the visual stimulation (GVS) provided by a pedestrian traffic light, and (3) GVS associated with a cognitive task (GVS-C). The GAITRite Platinum equipment was used to assess gait variables. RESULTS: Comparison of GVS and HG revealed that the visual stimulus influences the gait parameters and promotes a gait speed increase. However, to increase their gait speed, older adults aged 60-89 years used strategies of increased step length and cadence, whereas subjects older than 90 years used only strategies of increased cadence. In addition, comparison of GVS and GVS-C revealed a decrease in gait speed in all age ranges when the cognitive task was added, although this reduction was more pronounced in subjects older than 70 years. CONCLUSION: Visual stimulus influences the gait parameters in older adults and the strategy used is different depending on their age, a fact that shows that traffic light may be an interesting strategy to improve the gait performance during physical therapy.

Gait, balance, and functional independence level in stroke patients

Introduction: Most stroke patients present limited movement, which alters gait speed and balance. This study aimed to correlate balance and gait speed, and weight distribution and balance in post-stroke patients.Methods: In total, 36 participants were included. Data collection occurred as follows: filling out the assessment form; assessment with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS); assessment with the baropodometric platform; performing the 10 Meter Walk Test (10mWT) with accelerometer; measurements with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS); the Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC); and the Barthel Index (BI).Results: A negative correlation between FAC and mRS (r = −0.708; p < 0.05) and between BI and mRS (r = −0.716; p < 0.05) was found. The correlation between BI and FAC was positive (r = 0.591). There was a strong positive correlation between the 10mWT values and the BBS score (r = 0.708; p < 0.05). Moreover, a weak negative correlation was observed between BBS values and lower limb weight distribution (r = −0.378; p < 0.05).Conclusion: We found a correlation between the functional ambulation and the degree of independence.This study showed that the better the balance, the greater the gait speed, and the lower the difference on lower limbs weight distribution, the better the balance in post-stroke patients.

Equilíbrio e força de membros inferiores correlacionam-se com velocidade de marcha em pacientes com AVC: um estudo observacional / Balance and lower limb strength correlate with gait speed in stroke patients: an observational study

INTRODUÇÃO: A marcha e o equilíbrio são frequentemente comprometidos após lesões cerebrais como o Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC). OBJETIVO: Correlacionar a força dos membros inferiores e o equilíbrio em apoio unipodal no membro parético com a velocidade de marcha em pacientes com AVC. MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo observacional transversal. Indivíduos de ambos os sexos com diagnóstico de AVC atendidos no Ambulatório de Neurovascular do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, que conseguissem permanecer em ortostase por dois minutos sem auxílio e com marcha domiciliar com ou sem auxílio de dispositivos de marcha, foram avaliados quanto a força muscular de MsIs, por meio do Teste de Sentar e Levantar em 30 segundos (TSL30s); avaliação do equilíbrio pelo Teste de Apoio Unipodal (AU) e da velocidade da marcha pelo Teste de Caminhada de 10 metros (TC10m) com auxílio de um acelerômetro fixado na região de L5. RESULTADOS: Dos trinta e quatro indivíduos avaliados, 67,6% eram do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 60,5 (± 13,6) anos. A velocidade de marcha confortável média foi 1,01 ± 0,31 m/s, a média no TSL30s foi 9 ± 2,94 repetições e o tempo médio de apoio no membro inferior acometido foi de 4,11 ± 10,43 segundos. Houve correlação dos valores no TC10m com o tempo de permanência no lado acometido (r=0,563 p<0,001) e com o número de repetições no TSL30s (r=0,667 p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Quanto maior a força muscular dos MsIs e o equilíbrio em apoio unipodal sobre o membro inferior acometido, maior a velocidade de marcha nos pacientes com AVC.

BACKGROUND: Gait and balance are often compromised after brain injuries such as stroke. OBJECTIVE: To correlate the lower limb muscle strength walking speed, and balance in unipedal support on a paretic limb with gait speed in stroke patients. METHODS: This study employed a correlational design. Individuals of both genders with a stroke diagnosis were seen at the Neurovascular Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, who were able to remain in orthostasis for two minutes without assistance and with walking at home with or without the aid of walking devices. The Sit-to-stand test for 30 seconds (STS 30s) was used to examine muscle strength of lower limbs; the balance was measured using the Unipedal Support Test (UST) and walking speed with 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT) and used an accelerometer around the waist of the subject. RESULTS: A total of 34 subjects were evaluated, 67.6% female and mean age 60.5 (± 13.6) years. The average comfortable walking speed was 1.01 ± 0.31 m/s, the average in the STS 30s was 9 ± 2.94 repetitions, and the average support time on the affected lower limb was 4.11 ± 10.43 seconds. In addition, there was a correlation between the values in the 10MWT and the length of stay on the affected side (r=0.563 p<0.001) and with the number of repetitions in the STS 30s (r=0.667 p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The greater the muscle strength of the lower limbs and the balance in unipedal support on the affected lower limb, the greater the gait speed in stroke patients.