Association between toe pressure strength in the standing position and maximum walking speed in older adults.

Background

We devised a method to measure toe pressure strength in the standing position, which is close to the actual motion, considering the concerns about conventional toe grip strength. This study aimed to examine the association between toe pressure strength in the standing position and walking speed in older adults.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional study. The participants were 150 community-dwelling older adults (81 ± 8 years, 73% female) who participated in the physical fitness test. Correlation analysis was performed between the maximum walking speed of the participant and each physical function. Furthermore, to examine the association with toe pressure strength in the standing position, regression analysis was performed with maximum walking speed as the dependent variable. In model 2, we examined the association between maximum walking speed and toe pressure strength in the standing position by introducing a covariate.

Results

Correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between maximum walking speed and toe pressure strength in the standing position, with a moderate effect size (r = 0.48, p < 0.001). Moreover, multiple regression analysis with covariates injected showed that maximum walking speed was associated with toe pressure strength in the standing position (standardization factor = 0.13, p < 0.026).

Conclusion

Toe pressure strength in the standing position is one of the functions associated with maximum walking speed. This clarified the significance of assessing toe pressure strength in the standing position and suggested that enhanced toe pressure strength in the standing position may increase maximum walking speed.