Gait speed may predict development of Type 2 diabetes: A pilot study among elderly Japanese

Abstract

Aims: Epidemiologic evidence suggests that physical activity is associated with reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes. Walking is simple, effective, and by far the most prevalent physical activity among older adults. However, it is difficult to recognize and evaluate performance-based parameters of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the importance of performance-based gait speed among several physical measurements in the development of Type 2 diabetes using long-term community-based data on elderly Japanese persons. Methods: 10 baseline physical measurements, including habitual (HGS) and fast (FGS) gait speed, were examined in 102 elderly Japanese persons living independently in the community (mean age: 71.1 years old) who were not previously diagnosed with diabetes. The subjects then participated in a daily exercise program consisting of walking, stretching, muscle strengthening, and balance exercises and were followed for an average of 4.16 years. Using Cox proportional hazards models with adjustment for age, sex, and category of fasting glucose status, we investigated whether gait speed and/or other physical measurements are associated with development of Type 2 diabetes. Results: 9 subjects developed Type 2 diabetes. Among the 10 physical parameters examined, prolongation of HGS and FGS per second was the only statistically significant factors, with hazard ratios 1.83 (1.15 -2.89, P = 0.010) and 2.93 (1.43 -6.03, P = 0.003), respectively. Conclusions: We found a negative association between the development of Type 2 diabetes and gait speed among elderly Japanese people. We conclude that encouraging physical activity and preserving walking capacity may be beneficial for preventing Type 2 diabetes.

Gait Speed as a Predictor for Diabetes Incidence in People with or at Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Longitudinal Analysis from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

“…The results also showed that slower gait speed (<1.32 m/s) was a significant predictor for incident DM in this population. These results were consistent with a previous study that examined baseline gait speed and DM incidence in Japanese older adults over 4.16 years of follow-up, and found significant association [ 30 ]. However, the mean gait speed was higher in that study (1.48 m/s) than in our study (1.32 m/s).…”

“…However, this study was a cross-sectional design that did not account for longitudinal analysis of gait speed and DM and OA. Only one study examined baseline gait speed and DM incidence in Japanese older adults over 4.16 years of follow-up [ 30 ]. Although this study found significant association between baseline gait speed and DM incidence, this study has some limitations such as small sample (n = 102), indicating underpower design that cannot be generalized, shorter time of follow-up affecting DM incidence capture, and included only healthy older adults who participated in an exercise program for nine years.…”

Assessment of the Plantar Pressure, Muscle Strength and Balance in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Cyprus

“…Patients with type 2 DM have higher risk to develop plantar ulceration than normal population [8] [9]. There are two basic factors leading to ulceration among these patients which are neuropathy and increased plantar pressure values [10] [11].…”