Analysis of Gait Speed and its Correlates in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Abstract
Gait speed is a marker of health and independence in older adults. Mitigation of gait speed impairments through intervention on modifiable risk factors is key to preventing adverse health declines. Using cross-sectional data from adults aged 45 to 85 years in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, this thesis estimated population gait speed norms and ‘slow gait’ prevalence and assessed the potentially modifiable and non-modifiable correlates of gait speed. Significantly slower average gait speeds and greater proportions of gait speeds below 1.0 m/s were seen in older age groups. While gait speed variability was largely explained by non-modifiable factors, statistically significant associations were found for several clinical and lifestyle factors that are modifiable through intervention and education. These findings were corroborated by our systematic review on the modifiable risk factors for slow gait speed in older community-dwellers. Future longitudinal research is required to explore the clinical relevance of these findings.