2022 Volume 73 Issue 5 Pages 271-278
In this study, we did long-term nutritional intervention using leucine-enriched jelly as a basic study to examine intervention methods for the severely disabled elderly. Then, focusing on the changes in walking-speed and walk-ratio, we examined the effect on walking function of the severely disabled elderly.
We divided the elderly at a nursing home into an intervention group (13 cases) using a leucine-enriched jelly and a control group (8 cases), and we intervened with them for 8 months. We also performed dietary surveys, BMI and MNA®-SF calculation, and walking measurements before and after the intervention period. Free-walking-speed, step-length, step-rate, and walk-ratio were calculated from the walking measurements.
From the statistical analysis, even when the elderly from the intervention group ate various foods and had physical conditions that did not change BMI and MNA®-SF levels, their free-walking-speed did not improve. However, the stride length and walk-ratio of the intervention group was better maintained compared to the control group. It is possible for long-term intake of leucine-enriched jelly to affect walking so as to reduce the risk of falls.
By maintaining muscle strength and muscle mass that decrease with aging, the elderly can more easily perform activities of daily living. Therefore, the results suggest that further research is needed on interventions to maintain the walking function of the severely disabled elderly.
