Abstract

Background: The characteristics of both straight- and curved-path walking abilities and walking selfefficacy among older women aged ≥ 75 years with high social functioning are not clear. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of walking ability and self-efficacy among young-old (age 65–74 years) and old-old women (age ≥ 75 years) with high social functioning.

Methods: The participants in this cross-sectional study were 36 community-dwelling older women (mean age standard deviation: 73.4 ± 5.2 years) recruited using a convenience sampling method. The 5-m and Figure-of-8 Walk Tests were used to evaluate straight- and curved-path walking abilities. Waking self-efficacy was evaluated using the modified Gait Efficacy Scale. The participants were divided into two age groups: 65–74 (n = 22) and ≥ 75 years (n = 14). The results of the 5-m and Figure-of-8 Walk Tests and the modified Gait Efficacy Scale were compared between groups using an unpaired t-test and the Mann–Whitney U test. The relationships between the evaluation items were analyzed using Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient.

Results: Significant differences were found between the two groups in the 5-m Walk Test (p = 0.011) and Figure-of-8 Walk Test (p = 0.016); however, no significant differences were seen in modified Gait Efficacy Scale scores (p = 0.311). The correlation coefficients between modified Gait Efficacy Scale scores and walking abilities were lower in the group aged ≥ 75 years.

Conclusions: The present study found that, compared with women aged 65–74 years, those aged ≥ 75 years with high social functioning showed no decline in walking self-efficacy or straight- and curvedpath walking abilities.