The objective of the study was to verify the association between step length and pacing during gait and muscular fitness components (CAM) (flexibility, strength and muscular endurance of the inferior limbs) in 25 physically independent and apparently healthy women aged between 65 to 86 years-old (mean = 79±7 yrs) tests. The following variables were assessed: a) total and inferior limbs height and body weight; b) step length and pacing (CAMP and CAP); c) 2-minute step-in-place test (number of repetitions) (RESISR); d) maximal strength of knee extensors (load/body weight) (FORCAR); e) ankle and hip flexibility (FLEXT and FLEXQ). Data were analyzed by simple and multivariate correlation techniques. The results suggested that: a) step length and pacing variables were directly associated to CAM, as suggested by the canonical analysis (rcan =.79; p <.05); b) the step length seemed to be more correlated with maximal strength and muscular endurance than with flexibility; c) the overall association of FLEXT, FLEXQ, FORCAR and RESISR with AMP and CAP was stronger than the correlations found for any isolated variable. Based on these findings, a regression equation was proposed to estimate gait efficiency from CAM variables: EMB = 7.53-.26(FLEXQ)+.29(FLEXT)-1.87(FORCAR)-.05(RESISR), and EMF = 7(EMB)+76, where EMB = Raw Gait Score and EMF = Final Gait Score (r² =.90; SEE =.35; p <.0001).
Aging; Physical fitness; Gait; Functional autonomy; Health
