Functional Ability Of Older People Research Articles

Foot and Ankle Characteristics Associated With Impaired Balance and Functional Ability in Older People

Ageing is associated with changes to the structure and function of the foot and ankle, and there is preliminary evidence that foot problems impair balance and increase the risk of falls. To explore this in more detail, we conducted a study to determine the relative contribution of several foot and ankle characteristics to performance on a range of balance and functional tests. One hundred seventy-six people (56 men and 120 women, mean age 80.1 years, standard deviation 6.4 years) residing in a retirement village underwent tests of foot and ankle characteristics (including foot posture, range of motion, strength, and deformity), sensorimotor function (including vision, sensation, strength, and reaction time), and balance and functional ability (including tests of standing balance, leaning balance, stepping, sit-to-stand, and walking speed). Many foot and ankle characteristics and sensorimotor measures were associated with performance on the balance and functional tests in univariate analyses. Multiple regression analysis consistently revealed that ankle flexibility, plantar tactile sensitivity, and toe plantarflexor strength were significant and independent predictors of balance and functional test performance, explaining up to 59% of the variance in these test scores. Foot and ankle characteristics, particularly ankle flexibility, plantar tactile sensation, and strength of toe plantarflexor muscles, are significant independent predictors of balance and functional ability in older people. Programs to improve the strength and flexibility of the foot and interventions to augment plantar sensation may be beneficial in improving mobility and reducing the risk of falls.

An educational programme for primary healthcare providers improved functional ability in older people living in the community

Vass M, Avlund K, Lauridsen J, et al . Feasible model for prevention of functional decline in older people: municipality-randomized, controlled trial. J Am Geriatr Soc 2005;53:563–8.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Q...

18.17 Foot and ankle characteristics associated with impairedbalance and functional ability in older people

18.17 Foot and ankle characteristics associated with impairedbalance and functional ability in older people

On classifying race in Brazil: Example from a study of the functional ability of older people (60+)

How should race be categorized? This article investigates the usefulness of having three categories to describe a black-white racial continuum, focusing on Brazil and the functional ability of elderly (60+) people there. Ironically, even as the U.S. census has started to acknowledge mixed race again, much social research in Brazil has begun not to. Using 1998 national household survey microdata (PNAD) for Brazil, we find it advantageous to use a three-category scheme that separates a mixed black-white (pardo) status from black or white when examining the functional ability of elders. We also find the tantalizing possibility of a crossover in which browns actually have more functional ability than white counterparts after controlling for many demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic factors.

Effect of painful keratoses debridement on foot pain, balance and function in older adults

Painful feet in older people can detrimentally affect balance and are a risk factor for falls. Pain is often associated with plantar hyperkeratoses, which are easily treated by podiatrists. Currently, there is no data defining the effect this treatment has on balance or functional ability. To determine the effects of scalpel debridement of painful plantar hyperkeratoses on pain, balance and functional ability in older people aged 65 years and over. Nineteen men and women aged 65-84 years (mean age 72, standard deviation 5.6). Pain resulting from plantar hyperkeratoses was measured using a visual analogue scale. Static balance and functional ability were measured using tests of postural sway, co-ordinated stability and timed walking and stepping tests. Painful plantar hyperkeratoses were debrided with a scalpel then all tests were repeated, immediately and 7 days later. Following scalpel debridement, pain levels (sensory and afferent) were significantly reduced (P<0.0001) and functional ability was significantly increased (P<0.0001). There was no change in static balance ability. One week after debridement the improved performance in functional ability tests was maintained. Debridement of painful plantar hyperkeratoses reduces pain and improves functional ability in older people. Its effect on static balance was inconclusive.

Ability of Fat and Fat‐Free Mass Percentages to Predict Functional Disability in Older Men and Women

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies suggest an association between body composition and declining functional ability in older people. This study examined the relation between functional disability and percentage of fat mass (FM) and percentage of fat‐free mass (FFM) in older men and women.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional and prospective.SETTING: Rancho Bernardo, California.PARTICIPANTS: Subjects consisted of 1,051 ambulatory, community‐dwelling Caucasian men and women, age 55 to 92, who attended a clinic visit between 1988 and 1992 and a subsequent clinic visit between 1992 and 1996.MEASUREMENTS: Measured at both visits, percentage of fat mass and percentage of lean body mass were estimated by bioelectric impedance analysis and functional disability was ascertained by self‐administered questionnaire. Functional disability was dichotomized into those having any difficulty with a set of tasks versus those having no difficulty with the tasks. Two measures of functional disability were used: “lower body” disability, consisting of two lower motor tasks (walking 2–3 blocks and climbing up 10 stairs) and “overall” disability, consisting of nine tasks representing upper and lower body function and mobility.RESULTS: Compared with men, women were more likely to report both lower body and overall functional disability (P = .001). Cross‐sectionally, a significant positive association was shown between fat mass and overall functional disability and a significant negative association was shown between FFM and overall functional disability in both men and women. Prospectively, increased percentage of body fat and decreased percentage of FFM were significantly associated with decreased functional ability in both women and men. All results were adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, current estrogen use, depression, chronic disease, and education.CONCLUSION: Increased percentage of fat mass and decreased percentage of FFM are associated with greater functional disability in older men and women. Further research is needed to assess the relative importance of decreasing fat percentage or increasing fat‐free percentage to preserve or improve functional ability in older people.

Ability of fat and fat-free mass percentages to predict functional disability in older men and women.

Previous studies suggest an association between body composition and declining functional ability in older people. This study examined the relation between functional disability and percentage of fat mass (FM) and percentage of fat-free mass (FFM) in older men and women. Cross-sectional and prospective. Rancho Bernardo, California. Subjects consisted of 1,051 ambulatory, community-dwelling Caucasian men and women, age 55 to 92, who attended a clinic visit between 1988 and 1992 and a subsequent clinic visit between 1992 and 1996. Measured at both visits, percentage of fat mass and percentage of lean body mass were estimated by bioelectric impedance analysis and functional disability was ascertained by self-administered questionnaire. Functional disability was dichotomized into those having any difficulty with a set of tasks versus those having no difficulty with the tasks. Two measures of functional disability were used: "lower body" disability, consisting of two lower motor tasks (walking 2-3 blocks and climbing up 10 stairs) and "overall" disability, consisting of nine tasks representing upper and lower body function and mobility. Compared with men, women were more likely to report both lower body and overall functional disability (P=.001). Cross-sectionally, a significant positive association was shown between fat mass and overall functional disability and a significant negative association was shown between FFM and overall functional disability in both men and women. Prospectively, increased percentage of body fat and decreased percentage of FFM were significantly associated with decreased functional ability in both women and men. All results were adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, current estrogen use, depression, chronic disease, and education. Increased percentage of fat mass and decreased percentage of FFM are associated with greater functional disability in older men and women. Further research is needed to assess the relative importance of decreasing fat percentage or increasing fat-free percentage to preserve or improve functional ability in older people.