Article

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the changes in the
temporal parameters measured during the performance of the Step Test, to evaluate
the relationship between age and these measurements and to determine their
relationships to aerobic endurance, muscular strength and mobility in a sample of
older adults. Eighty-eight older adults (mean age = 73.0 years, SD = 5.4)
participated in the study. During the Step Test, we collected measurements of the
following temporal parameters using the Optojump system: step number, support
time and executive time. We also evaluated the performance of the Six-Minute Walk
Test, the 30-Second Chair Rise Test and the Timed Up and Go Test. We observed a
significant decrease in the step number and an increase in the support time and
executive time (p = .001) during each minute of the test. The results revealed
that the relationship between age and Step Test performance was attenuated when
we controlled for potential confounding variables. Controlling for age, gender
and BMI, variance in support time during the Step Test was accounted for by
variance in 30-Second Chair Rise Test performance (partial r = -.224). Moreover,
variance in executive time was accounted for by variance in 30-Second Chair Rise
Test (partial r = .234) and Timed Up and Go Test performance (partial r = -.259).
Understanding the factors that are associated with the performance of the Step
Test may provide new insights into the development of specific intervention
programmes for older adults.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS