Velocity walking test: Selective influences on physical functional performance for better tracking of older women

Aluísio Pinto Avelino; Andreza Dos S Silva; Suzy Silva Pinto; Ewertton de Souza Bezerra

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2023.104962

Velocity walking test: Selective influences on physical functional performance for better tracking of older women

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2023 Jun:109:104962. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.104962. Epub 2023 Feb 14.

Authors

Aluísio Pinto Avelino¹, Andreza Dos S Silva², Suzy Silva Pinto³, Ewertton de Souza Bezerra⁴

Affiliations

¹ Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
² Laboratório de Estudos do Desempenho Humano, Faculdade de Educação Física e Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
³ Secretária de Estado de Educação (SEDUC), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
⁴ Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil; Laboratório de Estudos do Desempenho Humano, Faculdade de Educação Física e Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas. Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Electronic address: ewertton_bezerra@ufam.edu.br.

PMID: 36804697
DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2023.104962

Abstract

Objective: To examine the selective influences of changes in walking test capability on physical functional performance (COD speed, COD deficit, linear sprint speed, chair stand test, handgrip strength, and unloaded vertical jump) in community dwelling older women.

Methods: The performances of eighty women ((age, 64.7 ± 3.38 y; body mass, 66.3 ± 11.15 kg; height, 153.5 ± 5.71 cm, BMI, 28.08 ± 4.00 kg/m²) were assessed in the 6-m walk test, timed up and go test, chair stand test, handgrip strength, and unloaded vertical jump. The change of direction velocity (CODv) deficit (m.s^-1) was calculated as TUG velocity - 6-m walk velocity. Estimation statistics were adopted, which focus on the effect size of the higher/lower, as opposed to significance testing. The bootstrap with 5000 replicates was used to obtain bias-corrected and accelerated 95% compatibility intervals (CI) of the point estimate of each effect RESULTS: There were large effects between faster older women compared to slower older women in COD velocity (TUG), chair stand test, and CODv deficit. On the other hand, we observed no influence of 6-m walk test performance on vertical jumps or the handgrip strength test.

Conclusion: Strength and conditioning coaches and professionals involved with older women should consider the COD deficit (i.e., linear velocity minus change of direction velocity), as a complementary measure to provide an initial idea of the adequate pathway for exercise prescription and to track responses in older women.

Keywords: Aging; Exercise test; Human physical conditioning; Physical fitness; Physical functional performance.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Exercise Test
Female
Hand Strength* / physiology
Humans
Muscle Strength / physiology
Physical Functional Performance
Postural Balance*
Time and Motion Studies
Walk Test
Walking / physiology
Walking Speed* / physiology