Could poor glycaemic control be a predictor of walking speed decline in older adults? Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Aim Although diabetes is a risk factor for walking speed decline in older adults, it remains unclear how glycaemic control [assessed by glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)] might affect the long‐term trajectories of walking speed. We investigated whether the glycaemic control status accelerates the walking speed decline and whether this decline differs depending on previous mobility conditions. Materials and Methods In total, 3202 individuals aged ≥60 years from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) were classified at baseline and after 4 and 8 years of follow‐up according to glycaemic control status as ‘without diabetes’ (no self‐reported diabetes and HbA1c