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Ageing and gait variability-a population-based study of older people
Citation
Callisaya, M and Blizzard, L and Schmidt, MD and McGinley, JL and Srikanth, VK, Ageing and gait variability-a population-based study of older people, Age and Ageing, 39, (2) pp. 191-197. ISSN 0002-0729 (2010) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2010 Oxford University Press
Official URL: http://www.oxfordjournals.org
DOI: doi:10.1093/ageing/afp250
Abstract
Background: gait variability may be an important predictor of falls risk, but its characteristics are poorly understood.
Objective: to examine the relationship between age and gait variability in a population-based sample of older people.
Design: cross-sectional study.
Methods: in people aged 6086 years (n=412), temporal and spatial gait variability measures were recorded with a GAITRite walkway. Regression analysis was used to model the relationship between age and gait variability adjusting for height, weight and self-reported chronic disease. Further adjustment was made for gait speed to examine its influence on the associations.
Results: older age was associated with greater variability (P<0.05) in all gait measures. All relationships were linear, except that between age and step time variability, which was curvilinear in women. Adjusting for gait speed changed the magnitude of the age coefficient by 6286% for temporal variability measures, 25% for step length variability and 512% for step width
variability.
Conclusion: age is linearly associated with greater intra-individual gait variability for most gait measures, except for step time variability in women. Gait speed may mediate the association between age and temporal variability measures. Further study is needed to understand the factors responsible for the greater gait variability with ageing.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | ageing, gait variability, population-based, elderly |
| Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
| Research Group: | Clinical sciences |
| Research Field: | Geriatrics and gerontology |
| Objective Division: | Health |
| Objective Group: | Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health) |
| Objective Field: | Health related to ageing |
| UTAS Author: | Callisaya, M (Dr Michele Callisaya) |
| UTAS Author: | Blizzard, L (Professor Leigh Blizzard) |
| UTAS Author: | Srikanth, VK (Dr Velandai Srikanth) |
| ID Code: | 64955 |
| Year Published: | 2010 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 163 |
| Deposited By: | Menzies Institute for Medical Research |
| Deposited On: | 2010-09-16 |
| Last Modified: | 2011-08-30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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