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JFSF Vol 7, No 4, December 2022, p.199-206

doi: 10.22540/JFSF-07-199

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Original Article

Comparison of Habitual and Maximal Gait Speed and their Impact on Sarcopenia Quantification in German Nursing Home Residents

Daniel Haigis1,2, Silas Wagner1,2, Gorden Sudeck2,3, Annika Frahsa4, Ansgar Thiel2,3, Gerhard W. Eschweiler5, Andreas M. Niess1,2

  1. Department of Sports Medicine, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Germany
  2. Interfaculty Research Institute for Sport and Physical Activity, University of Tuebingen, Germany
  3. Institute of Sport Science, Eberhard Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany
  4. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
  5. Centre for Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Germany

Keywords: EWGSOP2, Gait speed, Nursing home, Quantification, Sarcopenia

Abstract

Objectives: Sarcopenia is characterized by loss of muscle strength and muscle mass. The EWGSOP2 specifications include physical functioning determination for quantification of the sarcopenia severity. However, there is a lack in the use of habitual and maximal gait speed and their influence on sarcopenia quantification. We hypothesize differences in sarcopenia quantification using habitual and maximal gait speed. Methods: Sixty-six residents from five nursing homes were examined. Habitual and maximal gait speed were measured by 4-meter-walking-Test. McNemar-Test and χ2-test were used to identify quantification differences. Effect sizes of both gait speeds were calculated with Spearman’s rank-correlation-coefficient. Results: Significant difference was identified for twenty-two residents in physical functioning classification by McNemar-Test (p<.001). χ2-Test identified a significant frequency distribution for sarcopenia categories between both gait speeds (χ2 (df2)=11.215, p=.004; Cramer’s V=.412). Significant correlations (p<.05) were only shown for maximal gait speed in variables falls in the last three months (|rs|=.326), Barthel-Index (|rs|=.415), and SARC-F (|rs|=. 335). Conclusions: The use of habitual and maximal gait speed has a significant impact on sarcopenia quantification in nursing home residents. An adapted standardization in the EWGSOP2 specifications should follow.
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