Comparison of lower-limb agility in middle-aged, early-stage elderly, and late-stage elderly people

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of the study was to elucidate differences in open-close stepping test on conducting repeated tasks in middle-aged, early-stage elderly, and latestage elderly subjects. [Methods] The subjects were 45 outpatients who attended an outpatient rehabilitation department for orthopedic disease of upper limbs (male 10, female 35,mean, age 68.6 ± 27.7 years, height 156.1 ± 38.9 cm, weight 56.0 ± 26.3 kg, BMI 22.8 ± 9.1). The subjects were divided into middle-aged (15 subjects with 45 to 64 years), early-stage elderly (15, 65 to 74 years), and late-stage elderly (15, 75 years or older) groups. The lowerlimb agility in each age group was evaluated and compared by counting the number of repeated open-close stepping test performed within a specified time period. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way analysis of variance, followed by multiple comparison using the Bonferroni post-hoc test. [Results] The mean numbers of abductions/adductions were 18.0 ± 2.5, 16.5 ± 2.4, and 15.0 ± 2.1 in the middle-aged, early-stage elderly, and late-stage elderly groups, respectively. The number of repeating in the late-stage elderly group was significantly lower than that in the middle-aged group. There were no significant differences in numbers on other comparisons. [Conclusion] It was confirmed that,compared with middle-aged people, late-stage elderly people show reduced open-close stepping test.