A Novel Method for Identifying Frailty and Quantifying Muscle Strength Using the Six-Minute Walking Test

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Frailty and sarcopenia accelerate cardiovascular aging in the elderly.
• Early detection of frailty and sarcopenia is critical for effective treatment planning.
• The six-minute walking test (6MWT) is a key measure of exercise tolerance in cardiorespiratory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a wearable system for conducting the 6MWT.
• To propose a novel method for identifying frailty and quantifying walking muscle strength (WMS).
• To analyze gait parameters like stride length (SL) and step cadence (SC) for assessing walking performance.

Main Methods:

• 60 elderly participants wore ankle accelerometers during the 6MWT.
• Gait data (SL and SC) were collected via computer or smartphone.
• A classification system using SL and SC ranges (I-IV) was implemented to assess frailty.
• A quantitative Walking Muscle Strength (WMS) score was developed.

Main Results:

• Frail individuals were predominantly found in Range III (62.5%), while non-frail individuals were in Range I (72.4%).
• 62.5% of frail participants received a low WMS score (WMS1), contrasted with 41.4% of non-frail individuals scoring higher (WMS4).
• Average walking distances decreased with lower WMS scores, ranging from 207 m (WMS1) to 462 m (WMS4).

Conclusions:

• The wearable 6MWT system effectively analyzes gait parameters for frailty assessment.
• The proposed WMS score offers a quantitative method for evaluating sarcopenia or frailty.
• This technology aids in early detection and management of age-related muscle weakness and reduced cardiopulmonary function.