Examination of Gait Characteristics Related to Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Study Focusing on Plantar Pressure

Background

Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by a decrease in skeletal muscle mass and strength with age, which results in a lower gait speed. Decreased gait speed in older individuals with sarcopenia can lead to adverse events such as falls and mortality. It is a major health issue; several studies have investigated gait speed in sarcopenia. However, plantar pressure has not been sufficiently evaluated. Plantar pressure facilitates gait analysis, including gait speed, and plays an important role in preventing adverse events such as falls and mortality. Therefore, the current study aimed to validate gait characteristics, including plantar pressure in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenia.

Methods

The current study included community-dwelling Japanese adults aged ≥60 years who participated in health checkups between 2013 and 2018. Sarcopenia was diagnosed by measuring muscle mass and strength based on clinical definition (nonsarcopenia: n = 7662; probable sarcopenia: n = 1208; and sarcopenia: n = 477). Gait parameters (including gait speed, relative plantar pressure, cadence, stride length, step length, step width and foot angle) were measured at a comfortable speed using a computerized electronic walkway. Gait parameters between groups were compared via an analysis of covariance adjusted for age and BMI. In addition, post hoc analyses were performed with Bonferroni correction.

Results

The sarcopenia and probable sarcopenia groups had a significantly lower gait speed than the nonsarcopenia group (p < 0.01). Further, the sarcopenia and probable sarcopenia groups had a significantly lower forefoot plantar pressure, stride length and cadence than the nonsarcopenia group (all p < 0.01). When comparing, the sarcopenia group had a greater medial plantar pressure, step length, and foot angle and a lower lateral plantar pressure, cadence, and step width than the probable sarcopenia group (all p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The sarcopenia, probable sarcopenia and nonsarcopenia groups differed concerning gait characteristics, including plantar pressure. It is thought that exercise instruction that takes into account walking characteristics is important for probable sarcopenia and sarcopenia.