Association of Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Muscle Function with Gait Ability Assessed Using Inertial Measurement Unit Sensors in Older Women

Abstract

Aging-related muscle atrophy is associated with decreased muscle mass (MM), muscle strength (MS), and muscle function (MF) and may cause motor control, balance, and gait pattern impairments. This study determined associations of three speed-based gait variables with loss of MM, MS, and MF in older women. Overall, 432 older women aged ≥65 performed appendicular skeletal muscle, handgrip strength, and five times sit-to-stand test to evaluate MM, MS, and MF. A gait test was performed at three speeds by modifying the preferred walking speed (PWS; slower walking speed (SWS); faster-walking speed (FWS)) on a straight 19 m walkway. Stride length (SL) at PWS was significantly associated with MM. FWS and coefficient of variance (CV) of double support phase (DSP) and DSP at PWS showed significant associations with MS. CV of step time and stride time at SWS, FWS, and single support phase (SSP) at PWS showed significant associations with MF. SL at PWS, DSP at FWS, CV of DSP at PWS, stride time at SWS, and CV of SSP at PWS showed significant associations with composite MM, MS, and MF variables. Our study indicated that gait tasks under continuous and various speed conditions are useful for evaluating MM, MS, and MF.