Relationships among ADL Ability, Lower Limb Strength and Walking Abilities of Elderly Patients: a Comparison of Maximum and Minimum Walking Speeds

[Purpose] We measured the walking parameters of elderly inpatients at their maximum and minimum walking speeds in order to clarify their relationships with lower limb strength and activities of daily living (ADL). [Subjects] The subjects were 13 elderly inpatients of A Hospital. [Method] Using an optical (a video?) gait analysis system, we measured the walking parameters of the subjects at their maximum and minimum walking speeds, and compared the strength of their relationships with lower limb strength (assessed by the Frail CS-10) and ADL ability (assessed by FIM-M) between the two conditions. [Results] At maximum walking speed, stride length and step length showed significant correlations with FIM-M, and at minimum walking speed, stride length, step length, stance time and swing time showed significant correlations with Frail CS-10. [Conclusion] The results suggest the possibility of using maximum walking speed as an index of ADL ability, and minimum walking speed as an index reflecting the lower limb strength.