Abstract
We focused on the Multisurface Obstacle Test (MSOT) developed by Morat et al for the elderly. MSOT is a walking course that simulates the environment in which falls occur outdoors, and can be conducted indoors as gait and fall prevention training for the elderly. However, there is no association of MSOT with factors related to physical frailty, as far as the authors know.
In this study, we examine the relationship between MSOT and body composition and physical fitness factors related to physical frailty in community-dwelling elderly subjects, and clarify whether MSOT can be used as an assessment of physical frailty.
Eighty-four elderly students attending a gerontological college in the fiscal years of 2022 group and 2023 group were included in the study after being briefed on the content of the experiment and obtaining their consent to participate. The 2022 group was subjected to anthropometric measurements (height and weight), finger-wheel test, Knee Extension Muscle Strength, toe- flexor strength, and the Short Physical Performance Battery test, as well as five times sit to stand test and a 4m walking time test. 2023 group performed anthropometric measurements (height and weight), body composition (body fat percentage, muscle mass, and muscle percentage), Timed up and go Test, and 10-m obstacle walking test. SPSS, Ver. 25 was used for statistical processing, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed.
The results showed that the MSOT was significantly related to toe flexor strength, 4m walking time, BMI, and 10-m obstacle walking, even when age was taken into account, suggesting that the MSOT is a valid measure for evaluating physical fitness related to physical frailty. In the future, we believe that MSOT can be expected to assist in the evaluation of physical frailty by collecting data on physical frailty-related measurements and by selecting subjects.
