Are the spatiotemporal gait parameters at different walking speeds capable of predicting variations in cognitive status by the mini-mental state examination?

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the association between cognition and gait; however, most are limited to investigating gait in just one speed, usually the self-selected one, and commonly, only the general score of cognitive tests is used. AIMS: Investigate the relationship between the spatiotemporal gait parameters at different speeds (self-selected and fast walking speeds) and cognitive status in older adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Two hundred and ninety-five older adults (70.9 ± 7.2 years; 82.3% women) were evaluated according to cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE) and spatiotemporal gait parameters. RESULTS: Data analysis indicates that the spatiotemporal gait parameters (stride length, step time, and single support time) were able to predict cognitive status, assessed by the MMSE general score and its subdomain (temporal and spatial orientation) at both walking speeds. CONCLUSIONS: The spatiotemporal gait parameters were associated with cognitive status, assessed by the MMSE (general score and temporal and spatial orientation), regardless of the walking conditions. The model's variance was significant and with a large effect size. Stride length and step time were identified as the variables with the best explanatory factors. Therefore, it is concluded that greater cognitive performance is associated with longer stride lengths and faster step times.

Clinical-Functional Vulnerability, Functional Capacity, and Falls in Octogenarians with Different Physical Activity Levels-A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: To compare differences between frailty, functional capacity, and fall prevalence among community-dwelling oldest-old adults regarding their physical activity levels. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-nine octogenarians (80+ years) were allocated according to their physical activity as insufficiently active (<150 min week-1; n = 98; 84.4 ± 3.7 years), active (150 to 300 min week-1, n = 81, 83.9 ± 3.1 years), and very active (>300 min week-1, n = 60; 83.8 ± 3.4 years). Frailty (CFVI-20 questionnaire), functional capacity (Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test, Timed Up and Go, Balance, and handgrip strength), fall history, and physical activity were assessed. RESULTS: The insufficiently active group was the frailest and presented the worst functional performance compared to the other groups. The fall prevalence was higher in the insufficiently active (60.9%) compared to the active (26.4%) and very active (12.7%) groups. CONCLUSIONS: The group of insufficiently active octogenarians showed the greatest frailty, worst functional capacity, and higher fall prevalence than the active and very active groups. The engagement in physical activity of at least 300 min week-1 is essential to reverse or minimize the deleterious effects of aging on frailty, functional capacity, and falls in octogenarians.

Aquatic exercise improves functional capacity, perceptual aspects, and quality of life in older adults with musculoskeletal disorders and risk of falling: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the effects of an aquatic training program on functional capacity, perceptual aspects, and quality of life (QoL) performed by older adults with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and moderate/high risk of falls. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial included 120 older adults assigned to aquatic exercises (AG; n = 60; 70.62 ± 6.04 years) and a control group (CG; n = 60; 71.86 ± 6.95 years). The risk of falls, perceptual aspects (fall risk awareness and pain), functional capacity (lower and upper body strength, lower and upper body flexibility, functional mobility, and balance) and QoL were assessed at baseline and after the experimental protocol. The AG performed 16 weeks of aquatic exercises (twice per week, 45 min.session-1) with lower and upper body strength, stretching, and balance exercises. Exercise intensity was controlled using the rate of perceived exertion (12-16 on the Borg scale [6-20 points]) and heart rate (progressing from 40% to 60% of the heart-rate reserve). RESULTS: The training program improved the lower (mean difference [95% CI]: 2.7 [2.0 to 3.3]) and upper body strength (3.5 [2.6 to 4.5]), lower (4.6 [3.4 to 5.8]) and upper body flexibility (6.5 [4.3 to 8.6]), functional mobility (-2.5 [-2.9 to -1.9]), and balance (11.2 [10.6 to 11.9]); reduced pain perception (-3.2 [-3.7 to -2.8]); increased the fall risk awareness (9.5 [8.8 to 10.1]) and QoL perception (5.6 to 22.6 [4.6 to 25.1]). CONCLUSIONS: The water-based program may be used as a preventive approach for the older adults with MSDs and at risk of falling to improve physical and usual perceptual aspects (QoL and pain) and fall risk awareness.