Gait velocity and stability are correlated to muscle and bone mass loss in people with Parkinson’s disease: a preliminary study

Abstract

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) exacerbates muscle and bone mass loss, which is associated with several negative outcomes such as falls and disability. Thus, muscle and bone mass loss may be one mechanism for the mediator role between gait impairments and PD. Aim: To verify the relationship between the spatial-temporal gait parameters and the body composition of the lower limbs in people with PD. Method: Thirteen people with PD were evaluated on two different days: i) clinical and gait evaluation; ii) body composition evaluation. The step length, width, duration and speed, the percentage in double support, and gait velocity during walking at self-selected velocity. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry technique was used to measure fat mass, lean mass, bone mass, and the total mass, for whole body, and separately for each limb. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were applied between the spatial-temporal gait parameters and the variables of body composition of lower limbs. Results: Reduced lean and bone mass of both legs were related to faster gait velocity (r=0.6, p<0.03 and r=0.7, p<0.01, respectively) and step speed (r=0.5, p<0.05 and r=0.65, p<0.02, respectively). Also, narrower step width was related to the higher bone mass of both legs (r=0.6, p<0.03). However, muscle and bone mass did not correlate with step length and duration, and percentage of double support. Interpretation:Our findings suggest that the muscle and bone mass of the lower limbs are important body characteristics for gait impairments in people with PD and should be monitored over the disease.

Spatial-temporal parameters during unobstructed walking in people with Parkinson's disease and healthy older people: a public data set

“…The demographic, sociocultural, and overall health conditions data from this dataset were compared and only found differences between the groups for gender ( p < 0.004) and BMI ( p < 0.033). Since some health and body characteristics (i.e., body composition) are related to gait deficits in people with PD (Barbieri et al, 2022 ), these factors should be considered when analyzing gait data from people with PD and neurologically healthy people. Regarding the gender differences, it has been pointed out that females and males with PD present specific phenotypes concerning the symptoms of the disease (i.e., postural instability and more severe tremors in females, and more severe rigidity and bradykinesia in males) (Georgiev et al, 2017 ; Picillo et al, 2017 ).…”

Editorial: Effects of aging on locomotor patterns

“…One of the main clinical relevance of understanding the mechanisms and factors linked with whether and how age-and age-related diseases affect walking is centered on developing or optimizing intervention strategies (e.g., prevention and rehabilitation). Not differently, papers composing this special issue suggested 12,22 , or even directly indicated 23 , training strategies for general or specific aspects related to improving walking. Barbieri and colleagues 12 suggested that exercise programs focusing on maintaining body composition (especially with a mechanical load) would reflect in the maintenance of walking speed and stability.…”

“…Not differently, papers composing this special issue suggested 12,22 , or even directly indicated 23 , training strategies for general or specific aspects related to improving walking. Barbieri and colleagues 12 suggested that exercise programs focusing on maintaining body composition (especially with a mechanical load) would reflect in the maintenance of walking speed and stability. Becker and Rietdyk 22 also briefly mentioned, because of the link between fatigue increasing the risk of trips, the relevance of intervention programs in improving endurance capacity.…”