Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, International University of Health and Welfare, Otawara City, Japan.
Department of Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita City, Japan.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2021 Nov;21(11):975-980. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14271. Epub 2021 Sep 6.
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.
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.
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.
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. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 975-980.
本研究旨在从行走速度和握力两方面探讨身体机能的年轻化。具体来说，研究分析了 2006 年至 2019 年社区居住的老年个体的身体机能年轻化现象。本研究的新颖之处在于，它通过关注步态平衡来分析这一现象。
本研究共纳入 339 名参与者（男 52 名，女 287 名），于 2006 年进行数据收集，纳入 382 名参与者（男 83 名，女 299 名），于 2019 年进行数据收集。根据年龄将参与者分为男、女的早、晚期组。进一步根据女性参与者的年龄将其分为早、晚期和最晚三个阶段组。通过参与者的行走速度、握力、计时起立行走测试、功能性伸展测试和单腿站立测试对上述分组进行分析。结果基于两个因素进行比较：时间（2006 年至 2019 年）和年龄组。
在男性和女性的所有年龄组中，与 2006 年相比，2019 年的计时起立行走测试和单腿站立测试评分均有所提高。然而，仅在女性中观察到行走速度的改善。此外，与年龄相关的身体机能下降在男性中表现为行走速度更慢，而在女性中表现为功能性伸展测试和单腿站立测试。
在这 13 年的时间里，这些变化表明，社区居住的老年个体的身体机能在站立和行走平衡方面得到了年轻化。这些年轻化将有助于预防社区居住的老年个体跌倒。
