Relationships between Gait speed, Physical Functions and Cognitive Functions in elderly with pre-sarcopenia

The objective of this study was to analyze the association between gait speed and physical function as well as cognitive function in elderly individuals with presarcopenia. Subjects were divided into the normal muscle mass group (n=48) and the presarcopenia group (n=17). We performed a correlation analysis of gait speed (usual/maximum gait speed) with physical function (knee extension strength, sitting-up, one-leg standing time with eyes open, and sit-and-reach distance) and cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination and Trail making test-Part A [TMT-A]). The results showed moderate or higher significant correlations of usual gait speed with knee extension strength (r=0.51) and the TMT-A (r=-0.52). Maximum gait speed was correlated with knee extension strength (r=0.74), TMT-A score (r=-0.66), and one-leg standing time with eyes open value (r=0.56) in the pre-sarcopenia group. In contrast, in the normal muscle mass group, no moderate or higher significant correlations between gait speed and any of the items were observed. These findings indicated that elderly individuals with pre-sarcopenia may walk with a higher level of exertion than those with normal muscle mass; this finding implies that a slight decrease in leg strength, balance ability, or attention function may trigger a decrease in walking ability of elderly individuals with pre-sarcopenia.