Association between Gait Speed and Activities of Daily Living: A Study of Older Adults in Vietnam

Ha Nguyen, Institute of Population , Health and Development
Vu Nguyen, Institute of Population, Health and Development
Nguyen Vu, Institute of Population, Health and Development
Linh Thuy Dang, Linh T. Dang
Yasuhiko Saito, Nihon University

Objective: The Vietnamese population is rapidly aging, and understanding the relationship between gait speed and activities of daily living (ADLs) is crucial for enhancing the quality of life in older people. Hence, this study was conducted to examine the association between gait speed and ADLs in Vietnamese older people. Method: The study population included 5,340 older people. The participants walked 5 meters at normal pace, and the time taken was recorded with a stopwatch. Gait speed was calculated in m/s using this time. 7 ADLs and 2 physical activities were assessed. The odds ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated from logistic regression models. All statistical analyses were conducted using STATA 16.0 software. Result: Gait speed was associated with the presence of 9 activity limitations. Gait speed of = 0.8 m/sec was associated with an increased risk of limitations in one of the nine selected activities (odds ratio 2.41, 95% CI 1.69 to 3.45, p <0.001), in any two of the activities, and in any three or more of the activities. Conclusion: Usual gait speed can be used as a clinical marker of functional status and identifying those at risk of disability in older adults.

Keywords: Health and Morbidity, Longitudinal studies , Population Ageing

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