Longitudinal associations of life space mobility and domain-specific cognitive measures in ACTIVE.

We tested the longitudinal associations between life space mobility (LSM) at baseline and cognitive performance in three domains (memory, reasoning, and speed of processing) over time. Our analytic sample includes 2,690 older adults (mean age = 73.0, 75.9% female) participating in the ACTIVE Study. We used multiple linear mixed-effects models to evaluate whether LSM, measured using the Life Space Questionnaire, at baseline was longitudinally associated with scores on eight cognitive tests and three composite scores across 10 years. In unadjusted models, there were significant main effects of baseline LSM on memory and reasoning domains, and one speed of processing test (beta: 0.019 to 0.055, p < 0.05). All effects were non-significant in adjusted models. Over time, baseline LSM was associated with one memory test score in adjusted models. Greater LSM at baseline is associated with marginally higher cognitive performance but does not appear to affect the rate of cognitive change at a clinically significant level.

Individual joint contributions to forward propulsion are not related to stability during walking in young or older adults.

BACKGROUND: Older adults are less stable and walk slower than younger adults, both of which are associated with higher fall risk. Older adults use ankle musculature less and rely more on hip contributions for forward propulsion than younger adults, which has been suggested to be a protective walking strategy to increase stability. However, whether distal-to-proximal redistribution of propulsion and dynamic margin of stability are related has not been determined. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the distal-to-proximal redistribution of propulsion (redistribution ratio) is related to margin of stability during preferred walking conditions. METHODS: 89 participants were classified as either young adults, high functioning older adults, or low functioning older adults. Participants completed walking trials at their preferred walking pace overground. From these trials, anterior-posterior margin of stability and mediolateral margin of stability at heelstrike, midstance, and toe-off, for each gait cycle were computed, alongside a redistribution ratio. RESULTS: Lower functioning older adults exhibited an increased reliance on hip musculature for forward propulsion compared with younger and high-functioning older adults, in addition to greater mediolateral margins of stability. Accounting for group and walking speed, a proximal shift in individual joint contributions to propulsion was associated with increased mediolateral margin of stability at heelstrike, midstance, and toe-off; and not with any changes in anteroposterior margins of stability. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest prioritizing mediolateral stability is a potential explanation for, or consequence, of the age- and function-related shift toward proximal joint contributions to forward propulsion during walking.

Perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic and life-space mobility in older adults.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the physical health of older adults around the world, causing day-to-day disruptions in routines and changes to usual patterns of mobility. Despite the passing of 2 years since vaccinations, older adults continue to experience detriments, including social isolation and reduced mobility. This study aims to understand how views of the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with life-space mobility-moving about the community. We hypothesize that endorsing stronger perspectives about the persistence of COVID-19 is correlated with reduced life-space mobility. METHODS: Survey data were collected via online questionnaire in October and November of 2022. Linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between five perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., agreeing that "I wish people would take COVID-19 more seriously") and life-space mobility, measured using a modified version of the life space assessment, in older adults (n = 510). Analyses were adjusted for demographic factors and mental and physical health indicators, including depressive symptoms and number of chronic conditions. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, the study found that endorsing a stronger lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across any of the five perspectives was associated with significantly lower life-space mobility. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that endorsing a stronger lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with reduced life-space mobility, which underscores the importance of designing public health strategies that carefully balance the safety concerns of older adults with opportunities for physical activity and social interaction.

ChatGPT's Role in Gerontology Research.

BACKGROUND: Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) and other ChatBots have emerged as tools for interacting with information in manners resembling natural human speech. Consequently, the technology is used across various disciplines, including business, education, and even in biomedical sciences. There is a need to better understand how ChatGPT can be used to advance gerontology research. Therefore, we evaluated ChatGPT responses to questions on specific topics in gerontology research, and brainstormed recommendations for its use in the field. METHODS: We conducted semistructured brainstorming sessions to identify uses of ChatGPT in gerontology research. We divided a team of multidisciplinary researchers into 4 topical groups: (a) gero-clinical science, (b) basic geroscience, (c) informatics as it relates to electronic health records, and (d) gero-technology. Each group prompted ChatGPT on a theory-, methods-, and interpretation-based question and rated responses for accuracy and completeness based on standardized scales. RESULTS: ChatGPT responses were rated by all groups as generally accurate. However, the completeness of responses was rated lower, except by members of the informatics group, who rated responses as highly comprehensive. CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT accurately depicts some major concepts in gerontological research. However, researchers have an important role in critically appraising the completeness of its responses. Having a single generalized resource like ChatGPT may help summarize the preponderance of evidence in the field to identify gaps in knowledge and promote cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Body composition and body mass index are independently associated with widespread pain and experimental pain sensitivity in older adults: a pilot investigation.

Introduction: Chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is prevalent in older adults and confers significant risk for loss of independence and low quality of life. While obesity is considered a risk factor for developing chronic MSK pain, both high and low body mass index (BMI) have been associated with greater pain reporting in older adults. Measures of body composition that distinguish between fat mass and lean mass may help to clarify the seemingly contradictory associations between BMI and MSK pain in this at-risk group. Methods: Twenty-four older adults (mean age: 78.08 ± 5.1 years) completed dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and pain measures (Graded Chronic Pain Scale, number of anatomical pain sites, pressure pain threshold, mechanical temporal summation). Pearson correlations and multiple liner regression examined associations between body mass index (BMI), body composition indices, and pain. Results: Significant positive associations were found between number of pain sites and BMI (b = 0.37) and total fat mass (b = 0.42), accounting for age and sex. Total body lean mass was associated with pressure pain sensitivity (b = 0.65), suggesting greater lean mass is associated with less mechanical pain sensitivity. Discussion: The results from this exploratory pilot study indicate lean mass may provide additional resilience to maladaptive changes in pain processing in older adults, and highlights the importance of distinguishing body composition indices from overall body mass index to better understand the complex relationship between obesity and MSK pain in older adults.

Protocol for a home-based self-delivered prehabilitation intervention to proactively reduce fall risk in older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial of transcranial direct current stimulation and motor imagery.

BACKGROUND: Several changes occur in the central nervous system with increasing age that contribute toward declines in mobility. Neurorehabilitation has proven effective in improving motor function though achieving sustained behavioral and neuroplastic adaptations is more challenging. While effective, rehabilitation usually follows adverse health outcomes, such as injurious falls. This reactive intervention approach may be less beneficial than prevention interventions. Therefore, we propose the development of a prehabilitation intervention approach to address mobility problems before they lead to adverse health outcomes. This protocol article describes a pilot study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a home-based, self-delivered prehabilitation intervention that combines motor imagery (mentally rehearsing motor actions without physical movement) and neuromodulation (transcranial direct current stimulation, tDCS; to the frontal lobes). A secondary objective is to examine preliminary evidence of improved mobility following the intervention. METHODS: This pilot study has a double-blind randomized controlled design. Thirty-four participants aged 70-95 who self-report having experienced a fall within the prior 12 months or have a fear of falling will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an active or sham tDCS group for the combined tDCS and motor imagery intervention. The intervention will include six 40-min sessions delivered every other day. Participants will simultaneously practice the motor imagery tasks while receiving tDCS. Those individuals assigned to the active group will receive 20 min of 2.0-mA direct current to frontal lobes, while those in the sham group will receive 30 s of stimulation to the frontal lobes. The motor imagery practice includes six instructional videos presenting different mobility tasks related to activities of daily living. Prior to and following the intervention, participants will undergo laboratory-based mobility and cognitive assessments, questionnaires, and free-living activity monitoring. DISCUSSION: Previous studies report that home-based, self-delivered tDCS is safe and feasible for various populations, including neurotypical older adults. Additionally, research indicates that motor imagery practice can augment motor learning and performance. By assessing the feasibility (specifically, screening rate (per month), recruitment rate (per month), randomization (screen eligible who enroll), retention rate, and compliance (percent of completed intervention sessions)) and acceptability of the home-based motor imagery and tDCS intervention, this study aims to provide preliminary data for planning larger studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05583578). Registered October 13, 2022. https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/study/NCT05583578.

Prefrontal cortical activity during uneven terrain walking in younger and older adults.

Introduction: Walking in complex environments increases the cognitive demand of locomotor control; however, our understanding of the neural mechanisms contributing to walking on uneven terrain is limited. We used a novel method for altering terrain unevenness on a treadmill to investigate the association between terrain unevenness and cortical activity in the prefrontal cortex, a region known to be involved in various cognitive functions. Methods: Prefrontal cortical activity was measured with functional near infrared spectroscopy while participants walked on a novel custom-made terrain treadmill surface across four different terrains: flat, low, medium, and high levels of unevenness. The assessments were conducted in younger adults, older adults with better mobility function and older adults with worse mobility function. Mobility function was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery. The primary hypothesis was that increasing the unevenness of the terrain would result in greater prefrontal cortical activation in all groups. Secondary hypotheses were that heightened prefrontal cortical activation would be observed in the older groups relative to the younger group, and that prefrontal cortical activation would plateau at higher levels of terrain unevenness for the older adults with worse mobility function, as predicted by the Compensation Related Utilization of Neural Circuits Hypothesis. Results: The results revealed a significant main effect of terrain, indicating a significant increase in prefrontal cortical activation with increasing terrain unevenness during walking in all groups. A significant main effect of group revealed that prefrontal cortical activation was higher in older adults with better mobility function compared to younger adults and older adults with worse mobility function in all pooled terrains, but there was no significant difference in prefrontal cortical activation between older adults with worse mobility function and younger adults. Contrary to our hypothesis, the older group with better mobility function displayed a sustained increase in activation but the other groups did not, suggestive of neural compensation. Additional findings were that task-related increases in prefrontal cortical activation during walking were lateralized to the right hemisphere in older adults with better mobility function but were bilateral in older adults with worse mobility function and younger adults. Discussion: These findings support that compared to walking on a flat surface, walking on uneven terrain surfaces increases demand on cognitive control resources as measured by prefrontal cortical activation.

Identifying barriers and facilitators for using a smartwatch to monitor health among older adults.

Smartwatches are a type of wearable device that enable continuous monitoring of an individual's activities and critical health metrics. As the number of older adults age 65+ continues to grow in the U.S., so does their usage of smartwatches, making it necessary to understand the real-world uptake and use of these devices to monitor health. In this study, older adults with a relatively high level of education and digital skills were provided with a smartwatch equipped with a mobile application (ROAMM) that was worn for a median of 14 days. Usability surveys were distributed, and a qualitative analysis was performed about participants' experience using the smartwatch and ROAMM application. Constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model and Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research were incorporated into in-depth interviews, which were recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Interviews among 30 older adults revealed the following main themes: 1) familiarization with the device and adoption and acceptance, 2) factors encouraging usage, such as a doctor's endorsement or the appeal of tracking one's health, and 3) barriers to usage, such as insufficient education and training and the desire for additional functionality. Overall, participants found the smartwatch easy to use and were likely to continue using the device in a long-term study. Data generated from smartwatches have the potential to engage individuals about their health and could inspire them to participate more actively during clinical encounters.

Resting state brain network segregation is associated with walking speed and working memory in older adults.

Older adults exhibit larger individual differences in walking ability and cognitive function than young adults. Characterizing intrinsic brain connectivity differences in older adults across a wide walking performance spectrum may provide insight into the mechanisms of functional decline in some older adults and resilience in others. Thus, the objectives of this study were to: (1) determine whether young adults and high- and low-functioning older adults show group differences in brain network segregation, and (2) determine whether network segregation is associated with working memory and walking function in these groups. The analysis included 21 young adults and 81 older adults. Older adults were further categorized according to their physical function using a standardized assessment; 54 older adults had low physical function while 27 were considered high functioning. Structural and functional resting state magnetic resonance images were collected using a Siemens Prisma 3T scanner. Working memory was assessed with the NIH Toolbox list sorting test. Walking speed was assessed with a 400 m-walk test at participants' self-selected speed. We found that network segregation in mobility-related networks (sensorimotor, vestibular, and visual networks) was higher in younger adults compared to older adults. There were no group differences in laterality effects on network segregation. We found multivariate associations between working memory and walking speed with network segregation scores. Higher right anterior cingulate cortex network segregation was associated with higher working memory function. Higher right sensorimotor, right vestibular, right anterior cingulate cortex, and lower left anterior cingulate cortex network segregation was associated with faster walking speed. These results are unique and significant because they demonstrate higher network segregation is largely related to higher physical function and not age alone.

Fracture discrimination capability of ulnar flexural rigidity measured via Cortical Bone Mechanics Technology: study protocol for The STRONGER Study.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, which leads to bone fragility (ie, weakness) and an increased risk for fracture. The current standard for assessing bone health and diagnosing osteoporosis is DXA, which quantifies areal BMD, typically at the hip and spine. However, DXA-derived BMD assesses only one component of bone health and is notably limited in evaluating the bone strength, a critical factor in fracture resistance. Although multifrequency vibration analysis can quickly and painlessly assay bone strength, there has been limited success in advancing a device of this nature. Recent progress has resulted in the development of Cortical Bone Mechanics Technology (CBMT), which conducts a dynamic 3-point bending test to assess the flexural rigidity (EI) of ulnar cortical bone. Data indicate that ulnar EI accurately estimates ulnar whole bone strength and provides unique and independent information about cortical bone compared to DXA-derived BMD. Consequently, CBMT has the potential to address a critical unmet need: Better identification of patients with diminished bone strength who are at high risk of experiencing a fragility fracture. However, the clinical utility of CBMT-derived EI has not yet been demonstrated. We have designed a clinical study to assess the accuracy of CBMT-derived ulnar EI in discriminating post-menopausal women who have suffered a fragility fracture from those who have not. These data will be compared to DXA-derived peripheral and central measures of BMD obtained from the same subjects. In this article, we describe the study protocol for this multi-center fracture discrimination study (The STRONGER Study).

Use of Minimally Invasive Methods to Assess Fuel Utilization and Circadian Rhythms in Older Adults.

Aging is associated with multiple physiological changes that contribute synergistically and independently to physical disability and the risk of chronic disease. Although the etiology of age-related physical disability is complex and multifactorial, the decline in mitochondrial function appears to coincide with the progression of functional decline in many older adults. The reason why there is a decrease in mitochondrial function with aging remains elusive, but emerging science indicates that both fuel metabolism and circadian rhythms can influence mitochondrial function. Recent studies have established that circadian rhythms become disturbed with aging, and that disrupted circadian rhythms have pathological consequences that impact mitochondrial function and overlap with many age-associated chronic diseases. Current quantitative methods for direct assessment of mitochondrial function are invasive and typically require a muscle biopsy, which can pose difficulties with participant recruitment and study adherence, given the perceived levels of potential pain and risk. Thus, an innovative and relatively noninvasive protocol to assess changes in mitochondrial function at the cellular level and circadian patterns in older adults was adapted. Specifically, a real-time metabolic flux analyzer is used to assess the mitochondrial bioenergetic function of white blood cells under differential substrate availability. The expression of circadian clock genes in white blood cells to cross-correlate with the mitochondrial bioenergetics and circadian rhythm outcomes are also analyzed. It is believed that these innovative methodological approaches will aid future clinical trials by providing minimally invasive methods for studying mitochondrial substrate preference and circadian rhythms in older adults.

Independent and joint associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and lower-limb muscle strength with cardiometabolic risk in older adults.

The aim of this study was to investigate the independent and joint associations of low cardiorespiratory fitness and lower-limb muscle strength with cardiometabolic risk in older adults. A total of 360 community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Cardiometabolic risk was based on the diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome and poor Ideal Cardiovascular Health according to the American Heart Association guidelines. Cardiorespiratory fitness and lower-limb muscle strength were estimated using the six-minute walk and the 30-second chair stand tests, respectively. Participants in the 20th percentile were defined as having low cardiorespiratory fitness and lower-limb muscle strength. Poisson's regression was used to determine the prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of Metabolic Syndrome and poor Ideal Cardiovascular Health. Participants with low cardiorespiratory fitness alone and combined with low lower-limb muscle strength were similarly associated with a higher risk for Metabolic Syndrome (PR 1.27, 95% CI 1.09-1.48, and PR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10-1.58, respectively), and poor Ideal Cardiovascular Health (PR 1.76, 95% CI 1.25-2.47, and PR 1.65, 95% CI 1.19-2.28, respectively). Low lower-limb muscle strength alone was not associated with a higher risk for either Metabolic Syndrome or poor Ideal Cardiovascular Health (PR 1.23, 95% CI 0.81-1.87, and PR 1.11, 95% CI 0.89-1.37, respectively). Low cardiorespiratory fitness alone or combined with low lower-limb muscle strength, but not low lower-limb muscle strength alone, was associated with a higher cardiometabolic risk in older adults. The assessment of physical fitness may be a "window of opportunity" to identify youngest-old adults with a high cardiovascular disease risk.

Electrical Brain Activity during Human Walking with Parametric Variations in Terrain Unevenness and Walking Speed.

Mobile brain imaging with high-density electroencephalography (EEG) can provide insight into the cortical processes involved in complex human walking tasks. While uneven terrain is common in the natural environment and poses challenges to human balance control, there is limited understanding of the supraspinal processes involved with traversing uneven terrain. The primary objective of this study was to quantify electrocortical activity related to parametric variations in terrain unevenness for neurotypical young adults. We used high-density EEG to measure brain activity when thirty-two young adults walked on a novel custom-made uneven terrain treadmill surface with four levels of difficulty at a walking speed tailored to each participant. We identified multiple brain regions associated with uneven terrain walking. Alpha (8 - 13 Hz) and beta (13 - 30 Hz) spectral power decreased in the sensorimotor and posterior parietal areas with increasing terrain unevenness while theta (4 - 8 Hz) power increased in the mid/posterior cingulate area with terrain unevenness. We also found that within stride spectral power fluctuations increased with terrain unevenness. Our secondary goal was to investigate the effect of parametric changes in walking speed (0.25 m/s, 0.5m/s, 0.75 m/s, 1.0 m/s) to differentiate the effects of walking speed from uneven terrain. Our results revealed that electrocortical activities only changed substantially with speed within the sensorimotor area but not in other brain areas. Together, these results indicate there are distinct cortical processes contributing to the control of walking over uneven terrain versus modulation of walking speed on smooth, flat terrain. Our findings increase our understanding of cortical involvement in an ecologically valid walking task and could serve as a benchmark for identifying deficits in cortical dynamics that occur in people with mobility deficits.

Defining and Measuring Preclinical Mobility Limitation: An Expert Consensus Exercise Informed by a Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Early change in function in older adults has been termed preclinical disability (PCD). PCD has been understudied compared to other stages of disability because it is unlikely to receive comparative priority in clinical settings. It has major implications for prevention and population health as it may be the optimal time to intervene to prevent further decline. A standardized approach to research in PCD, including a common definition and measurement approaches, is needed to advance this work. METHODS: The process to establish how PCD should be defined and measured was undertaken in 2 stages: (1) a scoping review of the literature, which was used to inform (2) a web-enabled consensus meeting with content experts. RESULTS: The scoping review and the consensus meeting support the use of the term preclinical mobility limitation (PCML) and that it should be measured using both patient-reported and performance-based measures. It was agreed that the definition of PCML should include modification of frequency and/or method of task completion, without overt disability, and that requisite mobility tasks include walking (distance and speed), stairs, and transfers. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, there are few standardized assessments that can identify PCML. PCML is the term that most clearly describes the stage where people experience a change in routine mobility tasks, without a perception of disability. Further evaluation into the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of outcome measures is needed to advance research on PCML.

Comparison of EEG Source Localization Using Simplified and Anatomically Accurate Head Models in Younger and Older Adults.

Accuracy of electroencephalography (EEG) source localization relies on the volume conduction head model. A previous analysis of young adults has shown that simplified head models have larger source localization errors when compared with head models based on magnetic resonance images (MRIs). As obtaining individual MRIs may not always be feasible, researchers often use generic head models based on template MRIs. It is unclear how much error would be introduced using template MRI head models in older adults that likely have differences in brain structure compared to young adults. The primary goal of this study was to determine the error caused by using simplified head models without individual-specific MRIs in both younger and older adults. We collected high-density EEG during uneven terrain walking and motor imagery for 15 younger (22±3 years) and 21 older adults (74±5 years) and obtained [Formula: see text]-weighted MRI for each individual. We performed equivalent dipole fitting after independent component analysis to obtain brain source locations using four forward modeling pipelines with increasing complexity. These pipelines included: 1) a generic head model with template electrode positions or 2) digitized electrode positions, 3) individual-specific head models with digitized electrode positions using simplified tissue segmentation, or 4) anatomically accurate segmentation. We found that when compared to the anatomically accurate individual-specific head models, performing dipole fitting with generic head models led to similar source localization discrepancies (up to 2 cm) for younger and older adults. Co-registering digitized electrode locations to the generic head models reduced source localization discrepancies by  âˆ¼  6 mm. Additionally, we found that source depths generally increased with skull conductivity for the representative young adult but not as much for the older adult. Our results can help inform a more accurate interpretation of brain areas in EEG studies when individual MRIs are unavailable.

Media Consumption and COVID-19-Related Precautionary Behaviors During the Early Pandemic: Survey Study of Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, media sources dedicated significant time and resources to improve knowledge of COVID-19 precautionary behaviors (eg, wearing a mask). Many older adults report using the television, radio, print newspapers, or web-based sources to get information on political news, yet little is known about whether consuming news in the early phase of the pandemic led to behavior change, particularly in older adults. OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to determine (1) whether dosage of news consumption on the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with COVID-19 precautionary behaviors; (2) whether being an ever-user of social media was associated with engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors; and (3) among social media users, whether change in social media use during the early stages of the pandemic was associated with engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors. METHODS: Data were obtained from a University of Florida-administered study conducted in May and June of 2020. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between traditional news and social media use on COVID-19 precautionary behaviors (eg, mask wearing, hand washing, and social distancing behaviors). Analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics, including age, sex, marital status, and education level. RESULTS: In a sample of 1082 older adults (mean age 73, IQR 68-78 years; 615/1082, 56.8% female), reporting 0 and <1 hour per day of media consumption, relative to >3 hours per day, was associated with lower engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors in models adjusted for demographic characteristics (ß=-2.00; P<.001 and ß=-.41; P=.01, respectively). In addition, increasing social media use (relative to unchanged use) was associated with engagement in more COVID-19 precautionary behaviors (ß=.70, P<.001). No associations were found between being an ever-user of social media and engaging in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated an association between higher media consumption and greater engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors in older adults. These findings suggest that media can be effectively used as a public health tool for communication of prevention strategies and best practices during future health threats, even among populations who are historically less engaged in certain types of media.

Effect of Physical Activity Intervention on Gait Speed by Frailty Condition: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: There is uncertainty about effects of physical activity on physical performance, such as gait speed, among community-dwelling older adults according to their physical frailty status. We determined whether a long-term, moderate-intensity physical activity program was associated with different responses on gait speed over 4 m and 400 m based on physical frailty status. DESIGN: Post hoc analysis from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) (NCT01072500), a single-blind randomized clinical trial testing the effect of physical activity intervention compared with health education program. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed data on 1623 community-dwelling older adults (78.9 ± 5.2 years) at risk for mobility disability. METHODS: Physical frailty was assessed at baseline using the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures frailty index. Gait speed over 4 m and 400 m was measured at baseline, and 6, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: We estimated significantly better 400-m gait speed at 6, 12, and 24 months for nonfrail older adults in the physical activity group, but not for frail participants. Among frail participants, physical activity showed a potentially clinically meaningful benefit on 400-m gait speed at 6 months (0.055; 95% CI 0.016-0.094; P = .005), compared with the healthy educational intervention, only in those who, at baseline, were able to rise from a chair 5 times without using their arms. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: A well-structured physical activity program produced a faster 400-m gait speed potentially able to prevent mobility disability among physically frail individuals with preserved muscle strength in lower limbs.

Muscle Quality in Older Adults: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to map out currently available definitions and assessment methods of muscle quality in older adults. DESIGN: Scoping review. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: All available studies. METHODS: Four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) were searched from inception to May 2022. Title, abstract, and full-text screening were undertaken by 2 reviewers independently. Observational and experimental studies were eligible for inclusion if there was a clear description of muscle quality assessment in individuals aged 60+ years. RESULTS: A total of 96 articles were included. Several definitions and assessment methods of muscle quality were identified and divided into 2 main domains: (1) functional domain, and (2) morphological domain. A total of 70% and 30% of the included studies assessed muscle quality in the functional and morphological domains, respectively. In the functional domain, most studies defined muscle quality as the ratio of knee extension strength by leg lean mass (45.9%). In the morphological domain, most studies defined muscle quality as the echo intensity of quadriceps femoris by ultrasound (50.0%). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: There is a substantial heterogeneity of definitions and assessment methods of muscle quality in older adults. Herein, we propose a standardized definition of muscle quality to include terminology, domain, and assessment methods (tests, tools, and body sites). Such standardization may help researchers, clinicians, and decision makers use muscle quality as a potential marker of "skeletal muscle health" in older adults.

Uneven terrain versus dual-task walking: differential challenges imposed on walking behavior in older adults are predicted by cognitive and sensorimotor function.

Aging is associated with declines in walking function. To understand these mobility declines, many studies have obtained measurements while participants walk on flat surfaces in laboratory settings during concurrent cognitive task performance (dual-tasking). This may not adequately capture the real-world challenges of walking at home and around the community. Here, we hypothesized that uneven terrains in the walking path impose differential changes to walking speed compared to dual-task walking. We also hypothesized that changes in walking speed resulting from uneven terrains will be better predicted by sensorimotor function than cognitive function. Sixty-three community-dwelling older adults (65-93 yrs old) performed overground walking under varying walking conditions. Older adults were classified into two mobility function groups based on scores of the Short Physical Performance Battery. They performed uneven terrain walking across four surface conditions (Flat, Low, Medium, and High unevenness) and performed single and verbal dual-task walking on flat ground. Participants also underwent a battery of cognitive (cognitive flexibility, working memory, inhibition) and sensorimotor testing (grip strength, 2-pt discrimination, pressure pain threshold). Our results showed that walking speed decreased during both dual-task walking and across uneven terrain walking conditions compared to walking on flat terrain. Participants with lower mobility function had even greater decreases in uneven terrain walking speeds. The change in uneven terrain speed was associated with attention and inhibitory function. Changes in both dual-task and uneven terrain walking speeds were associated with 2-point tactile discrimination. This study further documents associations between mobility, executive functions, and somatosensation, highlights the differential costs to walking imposed by uneven terrains, and identifies that older adults with lower mobility function are more likely to experience these changes to walking function.