Abstract
[Purpose] The study examined the relationships of foot pressure with the walking speed and balance ability of elderly inpatients, and whether they are affected by walking speed and lower limb muscle strength. [Subjects] One hundred ten elderly inpatients. Those with a history of musculoskeletal or neurological disease were excluded. [Methods] Subjects were evaluated by the 10-m maximum walking speed (10MWS), timed up and go test, functional reach test, one-leg standing time, isometric knee extension muscle strength (IKS), and foot pressure, and divided into the three group based on 10MWS (1.0 m/sec) and IKS (0.35 kgf/kg). A multiple regression analysis including 10MWS as the dependent variable was performed on each group. [Results] Foot pressure influenced the walking speed of those who walked at a speed of 1.0 m/sec or more. [Conclusion] This result suggests that foot pressure possibly influences the walking speed of those who walk at a speed of 1.0 m/sec or more.
