Ethnic differences in the relationship between step cadence and physical function in older adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Biomechanics
• Public Health

Background:

• Physical function declines with age, impacting older adults' independence.
• Step cadence, a measure of walking speed, is a potential indicator of physical function.
• Ethnic variations in physical function and activity patterns are increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between step cadence and physical function in South Asian (SA) and White European (WE) older adults.
• To compare physical function and daily stepping characteristics between SA and WE older adults.
• To explore potential ethnic differences in the relationship between step cadence and physical function.

Main Methods:

• Participants: 71 WE and 33 SA older adults (≥60 years).
• Physical function assessed using the 60-s Sit-to-Stand (STS-60) test.
• Free-living stepping metrics, including cadence, measured using activPAL3™ devices.

Main Results:

• WEs demonstrated higher STS-60 scores (23 vs 20 repetitions) and greater daily total and brisk steps compared to SAs.
• In WEs, higher brisk step counts and proportion of brisk steps were significantly associated with better STS-60 performance.
• These associations between brisk stepping and physical function were not significant in SAs.

Conclusions:

• Significant ethnic differences exist in physical function and daily stepping patterns between SA and WE older adults.
• Brisk step cadence is associated with physical function in WE older adults, but not in SA older adults.
• Further research is warranted to understand ethnic variations in the relationship between ambulation and physical function in aging populations.