Citation

Adachi D, Nishiguchi S, Fukutani N, Kayama H, Tanigawa T, Yukutake T, Hotta T, Tashiro Y, Morino S, Yamada M, Aoyama T. Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 2015; 27(6): 829-834.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s40520-015-0342-3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Background The shuttle walking test (SWT) is a simple, widely used method for assessing endurance performance in the elderly. Despite widespread community use, its associated factors are unclear. Aims We aim to identify previously undefined SWT association factors in community-dwelling elderly people.

METHODS Herein, 149 healthy elderly Japanese subjects performed the SWT, and were assessed for height, weight, smoking history, 10-m walk time, Timed Up and Go (TUG) scores, handgrip strength, skeletal mass index (SMI), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), cardio-ankle vascular index, and ankle brachial index. We divided men and women into higher and lower SWT score groups, compared between-group parameters, and performed stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify factors independently associated with SWT scores.

RESULTS Age, BMI, 10-m walk time, TUG score, SMI, FVC (L; %-predicted), and FEV1 (L; %-predicted) were significantly different between SWT score groups for men, while in women, significant differences were observed in age, TUG score, handgrip strength, FVC (L; %-predicted), and FEV1 (L; %-predicted) (p < 0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression model, 10-m walk time, and FEV1 showed significant associations with SWT results in men; among women, age was the only significantly associated factor (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that better lung function and shorter walk time independently associate with SWT results in community-dwelling men; in women, age is the only association. Our findings may offer insight when considering the focus of community exercise programs among the elderly.

Language: en