| Keywords |
Gait; Gait variability; Bone mineral density; Elderly women |
| Abstract |
This study examined the association of gait function and gait variability with bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly women. This was a cross sectional study involving 241 elderly women. Body composition variables including height, body mass index, waist circumference, percent of body fat, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and femur neck BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Gait variables including stride length, gait speed, double support, gait cycle, and cadence was measured by gait analyzer. Gait variability was assessed on the basis of the coefficient of variation for gait variables. Based on femur neck BMD T-score, subjects were classified as normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. Based on gait variables, subjects were classified as high 25%, mid 50%, and low 25% group. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the odds ratio (OR) of gait variables level for having osteoporosis. In usual gait pace, compared to the high 25% group (reference), the low 25% group had significantly higher OR for osteoporosis in stride length, gait speed, and double support (OR=4.383, P=.002; OR=4.929, P=.001; OR=2.378, P=.039). In fast gait pace, compared to the high 25% group (reference), the low 25% group had significantly higher OR for osteoporosis in stride length and gait speed (OR=6.364, P=.001; OR=4.039, P=.003). The current findings suggest that a regular walking exercise should be promoted as a preventive means against osteoporosis in elderly women. |