Spatial and temporal gait characteristics in pre-frail community-dwelling older adults

Autor(es)

Freire Junior, Renato Campos ; Porto, Jaqueline Mello ; Rodrigues, Natalia Camargo ; Brunelli, Roberta de Matos ; Pinto Braga, Luis Felipe ; Carvalho de Abreu, Daniela Cristina

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Geriatrics & Gerontology International; v. 16, n. 10, p. 1102-1108, OCT 2016.
• Citações Web of Science: 5

Resumo

AimA number of studies have explored possible relationships, behavior, and meanings of spatial and temporal gait variables in frail and pre-frail older adults, particularly the gait speed variable. However, it is necessary to know the relationship of other spatial and temporal gait variables of pre-frail older adults. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare gait standards between pre-frail and non-frail older people. MethodsA total of 69 older adults aged 60 year and older, divided into two groups, non-frail (n=42) and pre-frail (n=27), were evaluated. Gait parameters were analyzed using the GAITRite (R) Platinum 26 Portable Walkway System. ResultsPre-frail older people had smaller step lengths (P=0.041), larger base of support (P=0.040), lower speed (P=0.019), lower single support percentage (P=0.033) and higher double support percentage (P=0.036), compared with non-frail older people. A history of falls was correlated to lower gait speed and step length in pre-frail older adults. ConclusionsIdentifying pre-frail older people could have significant clinical consequences, as frailty is a dynamic process, and such individuals can therefore progress into a state of frailty or revert to a non-frail state. Therefore, the identification of gait variables in pre-frail older people can be an important tool to recognize gait deficits and to initiate the appropriate treatment. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1102-1108. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 12/01770-1 - Influência do exercício de equilíbrio no padrão de marcha associada ou não a dupla tarefa em idosos
• Beneficiário: Daniela Cristina Carvalho de Abreu
• Linha de fomento: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular