0000000000389206
AUTHOR
Suzanne G. Leveille
Coimpairments as Predictors of Severe Walking Disability in Older Women
OBJECTIVE: Severe disabilities are common among older people who have impairments in a range of physiologic systems. It is not known, however, whether the presence of multiple impairments, or coimpairments, is associated with increased risk of developing new disability. The aim of this study was to determine the combined effects of two impairments, decreased knee-extension strength and poor standing balance, on the risk of developing severe walking disability among older, moderately-to-severely disabled women who did not have severe walking disability at baseline. DESIGN: The Women's Health and Aging Study is a 3-year prospective study with 6 semi-annual follow-up data-collection rounds fol…
Disability, physical activity, and muscle strength in older women: The women's health and aging study
Abstract Objective: To study associations of motor disability, physical activity, and muscle strength in older women, in particular to investigate whether model of spiraling decrease is expressed in the data. Design: Cross-sectional analysis using data from the base-line measurements of The Women's Health and Aging Study (WHAS). Setting: Participants' homes. Participants: A total of 1,002 disabled women aged 65 years and older living in the community. Outcome Measures: Motor disability was measured by the number of self-reported difficulties in grasping, lifting 101b, walking across a small room, walking 14 mile, climbing 10 steps, and doing heavy housework. Level of physical activity was d…