Aging with strength: Locomotor capacity and its determinants among the rural elderly community of India

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Context: The locomotor capacity of elderly individuals enables them to perform their daily activities without any assistance, but when it gets limited, it curbs their independence, and in resource-limited settings of rural India, it contributes heavily to their wellbeing. Aims: This study aimed to assess their locomotor capacity and various factors associated with it. Settings and Design: This community-based cross-sectional study was done among 195 elderly individuals residing in a rural area of the state of West Bengal, India. Methods and Materials: Study participants were selected using a cluster sampling method. Sociodemographic, nutritional, and behavioral factors and comorbidities were assessed, followed by gait testing using short-performance physical battery testing. Statistical Analysis Used: Binary logistic regression was used to identify the associated factors via SPSS version 16 software. Results: By applying short-performance physical battery testing among them, it was found that 57.4% had limited mobility. Individuals with higher age [aOR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.01-1.15], female gender [aOR: 3.85; 95% CI: 1.78-8.34], higher nutritional vulnerability [aOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.36-2.23], lower physical activity [aOR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97-0.99], and the presence of diabetes mellitus [aOR: 4.21; 95% CI: 1.21-14.64] were reported as major factors to be associated with limited mobility. Conclusions: Locomotor limitation in the elderly emerged as a significant public health problem. Along with regular physical activity and a healthy-diverse diet, a resilient community support system and social security measures were suggested, to promote and preserve the locomotor capacity of the elderly.

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