Rejuvenation of standing and gait balance in community‐dwelling older individuals: A comparative study between 2006 and 2019

Abstract

The present study investigated the rejuvenation of physical function in terms of walking speed and grip strength. Specifically, it examined the rejuvenation of physical functions in community-dwelling older individuals between 2006 and 2019. The study is novel, because it analyzes this by focusing on gait balance. Methods: Data were collected from 339 participants (52 men, 287 women) in 2006, and 382 participants (83 men, 299 women) in 2019. They were categorized according to age: early-stage and late-stage groups for men, and early-stage, late-stage and latest-stage groups for women. These groups were analyzed by participants' walking speed, grip strength, Timed Up and Go test, Functional Reach test and One-Leg Standing test. The results were compared based on two factors: time (2006 to 2019) and age group. Results:The scores for the Timed Up and Go and One-Leg Standing tests were better in 2019 than in 2006 for all age groups in both older men and women. However, improvement in walking speed was observed only in women. Additionally, the decline in physical function with age was slower for walking speed among men, and Functional Reach and One-Leg Standing tests among women. Conclusions:The changes over this 13-year period showed that the physical function of community-dwelling older individuals was rejuvenated in terms of improved standing and walking balance. These rejuvenations will aid in preventing falls among community-dwelling older individuals.

Association between age and phase angle in “old” and “super-old” nursing home residents

“…Recently, various physical functions, such as grip strength, gait speed 1) , and standing balance 2) have been rejuvenated in Japanese community-dwelling older individuals.…”

Improvement of frailty prevalence: difference in factors affecting frailty prevalence among 75 year-old individuals between 2006 and 2019

“…Further, the decline in walking speed and grip strength among older adults has slowed recently 11) , again indicating a rejuvenation of physical functions. Another analysis from City A revealed that the balance function of standing and walking improved among older adults in 2019 compared with those in 2006 12) . These findings suggest that improvement in physical function helped decrease the prevalence of frailty.…”

Changes in physical function in older females over a 5 year period

“…Physical function tests are conducted yearly to measure grip strength (GS), walking speed (WS), and balance. Females tend to be more likely to participate in communitycare prevention projects 2) . The social roles of older people are also changing in Japan due to increasing life expectancy and extended working age.…”

“…Many older people still possess sufficient physical strength to contribute to society 4) . In addition, physical functions, such as WS 5) , GS, independent activities of daily living 6) , balance 2) , and other physical functions are improving in older people in Japan.…”

“…Previous studies 2,5,6) were large-scale studies with large sample sizes. However, it is difficult to collect a large sample size in our target area (i.e., Otawara City) because of its smaller population than that of target areas of these previous studies.…”