Overcoming locomotive syndrome: The Yakumo Study

Abstract

Objectives Improvement of life expectancy is increasingly important with the aging of society. The aim of the study was to compare physical performance in elderly people in two 3-year periods (2001–2003) and (2016–2018). Methods The participants were healthy Japanese elderly adults who attended public health check-ups in Yakumo. Results for 10 m gait time, two-step test, back muscle strength, and grip strength were examined prospectively for participants in 2001–2003 (Group A: n = 488) and 2016–2018 (Group B: n = 309) by gender and age (65–74 and 75–84 years). Results There were significant differences between Groups A and B for 10 m gait time (age 65–74: male: 5.6 vs. 5.2 s, female: 6.3 vs. 5.5 s; age 75–84: male: 6.1 vs. 5.5 s, female: 6.7 vs. 5.8 s; all p < .05) and two-step test (age 65–74: male: 1.41 vs. 1.48, female: 1.35 vs. 1.44; age 75–84: male: 1.32 vs. 1.41, female: 1.30 vs. 1.38; all p < .05), but not for back muscle strength or grip strength. Conclusion Our results suggest a phenomenon of ‘overcoming locomotive syndrome’, in which physical performance changed by aging, including motor functions such as 10 m gait time and two-step test, has improved in the current population compared with a similar population from 15 years ago.