Overcoming locomotive syndrome: The Yakumo Study

Improvement of life expectancy is increasingly important with the aging of society. The aim of the study was to compare physical performance in elderly people in two 3-year periods (2001-2003) and (2016-2018).

The participants were healthy Japanese elderly adults who attended public health check-ups in Yakumo. Results for 10 m gait time, two-step test, back muscle strength, and grip strength were examined prospectively for participants in 2001-2003 (Group A: n = 488) and 2016-2018 (Group B: n = 309) by gender and age (65-74 and 75-84 years).

There were significant differences between Groups A and B for 10 m gait time (age 65-74: male: 5.6 vs. 5.2 s, female: 6.3 vs. 5.5 s; age 75-84: male: 6.1 vs. 5.5 s, female: 6.7 vs. 5.8 s; all p < .05) and two-step test (age 65-74: male: 1.41 vs. 1.48, female: 1.35 vs. 1.44; age 75-84: male: 1.32 vs. 1.41, female: 1.30 vs. 1.38; all p < .05), but not for back muscle strength or grip strength.

Our results suggest a phenomenon of 'overcoming locomotive syndrome', in which physical performance changed by aging, including motor functions such as 10 m gait time and two-step test, has improved in the current population compared with a similar population from 15 years ago.