Document Detail


A population-based study of sensorimotor factors affecting gait in older people.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19264860     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: the study of factors associated with age-related gait decline may assist in developing methods to preserve mobility in older people. OBJECTIVE: to examine the associations between sensorimotor factors relevant to ageing and gait in the general older population. DESIGN: cross-sectional population-based study. METHODS: participants aged 60-86 years (n = 278) were randomly selected using electoral roll sampling. Sensorimotor factors (quadriceps strength, reaction time, postural sway, proprioception and visual contrast sensitivity) were measured using the Physiological Profile Assessment. Gait variables (speed, cadence, step length, double support phase and step width) were recorded with a GAITRite walkway. Linear regression was used to model relationships between sensorimotor and gait variables. RESULTS: mean age of participants was 72.4 (7.0) years with 154 (55%) males. Better quadriceps strength, reaction time and postural sway (in men) predicted faster gait speed due to their effects on step length and/or cadence. Body weight (in men) and visual contrast sensitivity (in women) were modifying factors in these relationships. Better postural sway, reaction time (in men) and quadriceps strength (in women) predicted reduced double support phase. Modifying factors were quadriceps strength (in men) and proprioception (in women). Postural sway was the sole predictor of step width and in women only. CONCLUSION: potentially modifiable sensorimotor factors were associated with a range of gait measures, with a different pattern of individual associations and interactions seen between the sexes. These results provide further mechanistic insights towards explaining age-related gait decline in the general older population.
Authors:
Michele L Callisaya; Leigh Blizzard; Michael D Schmidt; Jennifer L McGinley; Stephen R Lord; Velandai K Srikanth
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2009-03-05
Journal Detail:
Title:  Age and ageing     Volume:  38     ISSN:  1468-2834     ISO Abbreviation:  Age Ageing     Publication Date:  2009 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-04-20     Completed Date:  2009-05-28     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0375655     Medline TA:  Age Ageing     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  290-5     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Menzies Research Institute, Private Bag 23, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia. michelec@utas.edu.au
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging*
Contrast Sensitivity
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Gait*
Gait Disorders, Neurologic / etiology,  physiopathology*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle Strength
Population Surveillance
Postural Balance
Proprioception
Quadriceps Muscle / physiopathology
Reaction Time
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
Tasmania

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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