Usefulness of functional gait reserve relative to activities of daily living in the elderly people

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop the index of functional gait reserve relative to gait endurance and gait conformability, and to examine the relationship between functional gait reserve and activities of daily living (ADL) in elderly individuals. Methods: Subjects comprised 107 community-dwelling elderly individuals (mean age, 72.5 ± 5.0 years). We evaluated gait function using the timed "Up and Go" test (TUG), 10-m walking time, 6-minute distance (6MD), physiological cost index (PCI) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and investigated Tokyo Metropolitan Institute Gerontology-Index of Competence as an index of ADL. TUGs were performed at a comfortable speed (TUG com) and maximum speed (TUG max), and TUG Reserve (TUG-R) was derived from the ratio of the difference between TUG max and TUG com as an index of functional gait reserve, Results: Intraday reliability of TUG-R was high (intraclass correlation coefficient (1,2) = 0.82), and TUG-R was correlated to 6 MD, PCI and RPE, which was reflected in gait endurance and gait conformability. Scores for TUG-R were significantly lower in elderly individuals with ADL dependence than in independent elderly individuals. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed TUG-R as associated with performance of outdoor activities. Conclusion: TUG-R offers a reliable and useful index of functional gait reserve related to gait endurance and ADL in elderly individuals.