Search

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a complex multifactorial disorder. Studies in animals, including mitochondria-mutator mice, and in human suggest that oxidative stress and mitochondrial disturbance play an important role in the pathoetiology of ARHL. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups are populations with genetically similar traits, and they have been reported to affect the mitochondrial function of oxidative phosphorylation. To gain further insights into the relationships between mitochondrial haplotypes and the susceptibility to cochlear aging, in this study, we aimed to elucidate how the differences in mtDNA haplogroups may affect ARHL development in Japanese general population. We focused on early onset ARHL, as the same mtDNA haplogroup can show either a negative or positive effect on systemic co-morbidities of ARHL that appear later in life. A total of 1167 participants of the Iwaki Health Promotion Project were surveyed in 2014, and 12 major haplotype groups (D4a, D4b, D5, G1, G2, M7a, M7b, A, B4, B5, N9, and F) were selected for the analysis. A total of 698 subjects aged 30 to 65 years were included in the statistical analysis, and the hearing loss group consisted of 112 males (40.3%) and 111 females (26.4%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the male subjects belonging to haplogroup A had a significantly increased risk of hearing loss, whereas the female subjects belonging to haplogroup N9 had a significantly decreased risk of hearing loss. These results suggested that the mtDNA haplogroup may be an indicator for future risk of morbidity associated with ARHL.

Affordable and accessible behaviour-based interventions that do not overwhelm or demoralise overweight/obese individuals are needed. Combining clothing with behaviour change techniques might be an option. This is because clothing is a social norm, and clothing and motivation for weight loss are associated with the common desire to look better. Therefore, we conducted a single-blind randomised controlled trial to examine the effect of an intervention that combined behaviour change techniques, including simplified goal setting and self-monitoring, with a body compression corrective garment (BCCG), which exerts continuous but minimal tactile pressure on the hips and abdomen. We enrolled healthy community-dwelling adults with a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 and assigned 35 and 34 participants to the intervention and control groups, respectively. The reduction in body weight was 1.3 kg more in the intervention group than in the control group after the 12-week intervention period (p < 0.05, repeated-measures mixed model). In addition, eating behaviour and body appreciation showed significant improvement in the intervention group compared with the control group. Our newly developed intervention improved eating behaviour and body appreciation and reduced the body weight of overweight/obese participants. Wearing a BCCG seems to facilitate behavioural changes and lead to weight loss.

Lumbar degenerative disease and dementia are increasing in super-aging societies and are both related to physical dysfunction and pain. However, the relationship between these diseases remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the comorbidity rates of lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and clarify the association between LSS presence, lumbar symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) related to low back pain and cognitive impairment in the Japanese population. We enrolled 336 participants (men 124; women 212; mean age 72.2 years) from a medical checkup program. LSS was diagnosed using a self-administered questionnaire, and lumbar symptoms were evaluated using the visual analog scale (low back pain, and pain and numbness of the lower limb). QOL related to low back pain was evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back-Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ: pain, and lumbar, and gait function). Radiological lumbar degeneration was classified using Kellgren-Lawrence grading and lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine. Cognitive function was measured using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and MCI was defined by a summary score of MMSE ≤27. Logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to analyze the association between MCI, summary score of MMSE, and lumbar degenerative disease. The comorbidity rate of MCI and LSS was 2.1%, and the rate of MCI was 41% in participants with LSS. Lumbar function in JOABPEQ was associated with MCI. The presence of LSS and lumbar function in JOABPEQ were associated with MMSE. Over one-third of the people with LSS had MCI. The presence of LSS and deterioration of QOL due to low back pain were related to cognitive impairment. We recommend evaluating cognitive function for patients with LSS because the rate of MCI was high in LSS participants.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:Although exact etiologies of overactive bladder (OAB) remains unclear, one of the believed theories to describe the disease process involves ischemia, vascular damage, an...

Objectives This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention combining physical, cognitive, and social activities developed to promote community activity in improving cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Setting A total of 83 Japanese older adults with MCI participated in the study from April to September 2017. Interventions Participants were randomly assigned to either the multicomponent intervention group (n = 41), attending 90-minute physical, cognitive, or social activity sessions using community resources twice weekly, or the health education control group (n = 42). Outcomes The primary outcomes were cognitive functions, and the secondary outcomes were grip strength, walking speed, depressive symptoms, physical activities, number of outdoor activities, and conversation time. Results Analysis using linear mixed models revealed significantly greater improvements in the intervention group in spatial working memory (p = 0.024) following intervention compared with the control group. Time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p = 0.048) and step count (p = 0.059) decreased from the baseline post-intervention in the control group, whereas the baseline was maintained in the intervention group. No significant between-group differences were found post-intervention in the other primary and secondary outcomes. Conclusions This study showed that a 24-week multicomponent intervention program was effective in improving spatial working memory and maintaining physical activity in older adults with MCI. A follow-up investigation is required to determine whether continuation of physical, cognitive, and social activity can prevent dementia or reverse MCI in older adults.

AIM We aimed to compare the level of physical function (PF) and habitual exercise between older Japanese and Korean adults. METHODS A comparative study was carried out on 1069 community-dwelling older Japanese and Korean adults (mean age 73.9 ± 5.2 years). The participants were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire regarding habitual exercise and covariates. PF age, a composite measure of PF, was derived from the 12 items, using principal component analysis. PF age and habitual exercise were compared between the Japanese and Korean adults, using analysis of covariance (ancova) and multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for all covariates using propensity scores. RESULTS ancova showed that PF age in older Japanese adults was significantly younger than in their Korean counterparts. Older Japanese adults exercised significantly less frequently than their Korean counterparts. Furthermore, older Japanese adults practiced significantly less walking, mountain climbing and bicycling, but more calisthenics, resistance training, ball games and dances than their Korean counterparts. CONCLUSIONS We found that older Korean adults had lower PF (3.7 years older in PF age) than their Japanese counterparts. Although the overall frequency and amount of habitual exercise in older Korean adults were higher than those in their Japanese counterparts, particular types of exercise might have contributed to the higher PF levels among older Japanese adults. Thus, older Korean adults might need to engage more in habitual exercises that are specifically effective in maintaining PF. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 576-583.

Aim The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older Japanese adults. Methods A cross-sectional study design was used to obtain data from 3191 community-dwelling older Japanese adults aged 70–95 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed using self-reported scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. PA was objectively measured using an accelerometer worn for a maximum of 40 days, and average daily durations of light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and step count were calculated. PA was compared between participants with and without depressive symptoms by carrying out analysis of covariance and multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for all covariates by using propensity scores. Results Depressive symptoms were present in 598 participants (19.6%). A comparison of propensity-score adjusted PA showed that step count (5059.6 ± 53.7 vs 5003.0 ± 112.1 count/day; P = 0.652) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA duration (23.0 ± 0.4 vs 23.8 ± 0.7 min/day; P = 0.358) were not significantly different between participants with and without depressive symptoms, respectively. However, participants without depressive symptoms had a significantly higher LPA duration than those with depressive symptoms (39.4 ± 0.3 vs 37.3 ± 0.7 min/day, respectively; P < 0.01). Conclusions The present results suggest that individuals with lower LPA have a higher risk of depressive symptoms. These findings imply that PA recommendations, especially for older adults, should emphasize LPA, which appears to be especially effective at preventing depressive symptoms.

Aim To evaluate the relationship between kidney function without diabetes and components of the frailty phenotype in community-dwelling Japanese older adults. Methods Participants were 8343 residents who completed baseline assessments, classified into four categories according to eGFR. Frailty status was defined using five criteria: (i) slow gait speed; (ii) muscle weakness; (iii) low physical activity; (iv) exhaustion; and (v) unintentional weight loss. Results After multivariate adjustment, participants with the lowest kidney function were at higher risk of frailty (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.02–3.50) than those with normal kidney function. In addition, after adjustment for multiple confounders, estimated glomerular filtration rate

Objective: Develop and evaluate the feasibility and validity of the Nutrition and Functionality Assessment (NFA) which identifies “target” older adults who could benefit from a personalized program following evaluation of their nutrition status and physical functionality. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Community and geriatric day-care centers and university in Japan. Participants: 267 older adults aged 65-90. Measurements: The “target” individuals were screened based on gait speed (0.6-1.5 m/s). Nutrition (Mini Nutrition Assessment-short form and protein intake), strength (30s chair sit-to-stand and hand-grip strength) and endurance (6-minute walk) were assessed. Physical activity was monitored using a tri-axil accelerometer for a week. Fried frailty phenotype was also assessed. Results: Out of 267 individuals, 185 (69%) had gait speed between 0.6-1.5 m/s, corresponding to our “target” group from which, 184 (95%) completed the nutrition and physical functionality assessments with the physical activity monitoring. The NFA was completed in approximately 30 minutes. No adverse events directly due to the NFA were reported. NFA physical functionality and global scores were significantly related to frailty phenotype but nutrition score was not related to frailty phenotype. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the NFA is a safe and feasible tool to screen target older adults and simultaneously evaluate their nutritional status and physical functionality. Validity of the NFA was partially confirmed by the significant association of the global and physical functionality scores with frailty phenotype. More studies are required to validate and maximize the applicability of the NFA in communities and institutions in Japan and elsewhere.

Objective This study examined the association between daily physical activity and functional disability incidence in community-dwelling older adults with chronic pain. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Japanese community. Subjects Of the 5,257 participants enrolled for baseline assessment, data on the 693 participants who had chronic lower back or knee pain and underwent daily physical activity assessment using an accelerometer were analyzed. Methods Participants were assessed for regular physical activity (step counts, moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity duration, and light-intensity physical activity duration) using an accelerometer at baseline and were followed up for monthly functional disability incidence, based on the national long-term care insurance system, for approximately two years. We determined the effect of physical activity cutoff points on functional disability incidence using receiver operating characteristic curves and Youden index. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze associations between the cutoff points and disability incidence. Results Among the 693 participants with chronic pain, 69 (10.0%) developed functional disability during the follow-up period. Participants with lower physical activity levels showed significantly higher risk of disability. After adjusting for all covariates, functional disability was associated with step counts (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02–3.14) and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity duration (HR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.16–3.51) but had no relationship with light-intensity physical activity duration (HR = 1.72, 95% CI = 0.97–3.05). Conclusions Maintenance of physical activity with at least moderate intensity may be effective in preventing disability even among older adults with chronic pain.

This study examined the association between the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and disability incidence according to sedentary time in community-dwelling Japanese older adults. This prospective cohort study sampled 5,104 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) enrolled in a health promotion study in a general population. The participants (n = 4,457; ≥65 years) were monitored for inclusion in the long-term care insurance system for 4 years. This study used blood samples to assess eGFR. Cox proportional regression analysis was used to determine predictors of disability. In total, 461 participants (10.3%) became newly certified as needing long-term care insurance services. Cox regression models were adjusted for multiple confounders: eGFR 45 ml/min/1.73 m

To examine the combined association of obesity and low muscle strength with mobility limitation in older adults.This two-year follow-up longitudinal study included pooled data from 283 older community-dwelling Japanese women without mobility limitations who were 65 to 87 years of age (mean age 72.2 ± 5.0 years).Muscle strength was measured by hand-grip strength (HGS). The participants were categorized by HGS (high muscle strength: HGS ≥19.6 kg, low muscle strength: HGS19.6 kg) and body mass index (BMI) (obese: BMI ≥25 kg/m2, normal weight: BMI25 kg/m2). The main outcome was mobility limitation, assessed by a self-reported questionnaire (difficulty walking one-half mile or climbing 10 steps without resting). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the combined effect of HGS and BMI on mobility limitation, adjusting for age, exercise habits, medications, and knee pain.During the follow-up period, 82 of 283 participants (29.0%) developed mobility limitation. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for the incidence of mobility limitation were 1.53 (0.86-2.73) and 2.05 (1.08-3.91) in the obese and low muscle strength groups, respectively. Obesity combined with low muscle strength exhibited a significant and strong association with mobility limitation (odds ratio: 3.88, 1.08-13.91) compared with participants with normal weight and high muscle strength.Among community-dwelling older Japanese women, obesity alone was not associated with the incidence of mobility limitation, but when combined with low muscle weakness, the risk of developing mobility limitation was 3.9-fold greater than for the reference group.

SPIRIT 2013 Checklist: Recommended items to address in a clinical trial protocol and related documents. (DOC 119Â kb)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the age scale for assessing activities of daily living (ADL) among community-dwelling adults aged 75 years or older. Participants comprised 89 older Japanese: 47 men (79.1±3.8 years) and 42 women (78.9±3.7 years). The ADL age (ADLA) equation is an instrument that estimates participants’ physical functioning regarding ADL using data obtained previously from 1006 subjects. The equation is as follows: ADLA for women = 0.447 (chronological age) -5.49ADLS + 44.17; and ADLA for men = 0.519CA – 4.27ADLS + 38.26. Validity was evaluated using cross-validation, and reliability was evaluated using internal consistency and test-retest methods. The correlation between the ADLA and chronological age (CA) in the cross-validation samples (r = 0.62 women, r = 0.61 men) was not significantly different from the relationship observed in the original sample (r = 0.72 women p = 0.636, and r = 0.75 men p = 0.571). Cronbach's alpha (< ) value (internal consistency) for the total ADLA was 0.97 for men and 0.92 for women, whereas the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) value (test-retest reliability) was 0.96 for men and 0.91 for women. The results suggest that the ADLA is a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of ADL with satisfactory psychometric properties and that is applicable for persons aged 75 years and older in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to develop an age scale for assessing activities of daily living (ADL) among community-dwelling adults aged 75 years or older. Participants were 1006 older Japanese: 312 men (79.6 ± 4.3 years) and 694 women, (79.9 ± 5.5 years). Participants completed a battery of 8 performance tests related to ADL and the Barthel index (BI) questionnaire. Spearman rank-order correlation analysis was applied to obtain the correlation of the 8 ADL performance tests with the total BI score. Three variables were high rank-order correlated with BI, secondly those items were subjected to the principal component analysis. The weighted combination of the principal component scores was summed. Resulting in an ADL score (ADLS), women = 0.075 X1 - 0.082 X2 - 0.063 X3 + 0.124, men = 0.051 X1 - 0.105 X2 - 0.099 X3 + 0.249, where X1 = hand-grip strength, X2 = timed up and go, X3 = five-chair sit to stand. Individual ADLS was transformed to an ADL age scale (ADLA). The estimation was - 5.493 ADLS + 79.90 for women, and - 4.272 ADLS + 79.57 for men. Due to the distortion at the regression edges, the equation was corrected as suggested by Dubina et al. ADLA women after correction was = 0.447 (chronological age: CA) - 5.49ADLS + 44.17, men = 0.519CA - 4.27ADLS + 38.26. ADLA can be used to identify or monitor the characteristics of the ADL levels of physical abilities in older Japanese aged 75 years or older.

AIM: To examine the effects of walking on falls among community-dwelling older adults while accounting for exposures. METHODS: A total of 90 older adults, ranging in age from 65 to 79 years, were allocated into either the walking (brisk walking, n = 50) or the balance (balance and strength training, n = 40) group to participate in a 3-month supervised and 13-month unsupervised fall-prevention program held from 2012 to 2014 in Japan. Falls and trips that occurred during the 16-month period were monitored with a monthly fall calendar. The risk of falls and trips was evaluated by person-year, physically active person-day and person-step. RESULTS: The walking group showed a significant reduction in the fall risk when evaluated by the falls per physically active person-day (rate ratio 0.38, 95% confidence interval 0.19-0.77) and falls per person-step (rate ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.26-0.85) compared with the balance group. In contrast, the number of trips significantly increased with walking, even when evaluated as trips per physically active person-day (rate ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.12-2.00). CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that walking among community-dwelling older adults can be more effective for fall prevention than balance training. However, because walking can induce more trips, walking should not be recommended for older adults who are susceptible to falling or frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; ●●: ●●-●●. Language: en

We aimed to compare the level of physical function (PF) and habitual exercise between older Japanese and Korean adults.A comparative study was carried out on 1069 community-dwelling older Japanese and Korean adults (mean age 73.9 ± 5.2 years). The participants were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire regarding habitual exercise and covariates. PF age, a composite measure of PF, was derived from the 12 items, using principal component analysis. PF age and habitual exercise were compared between the Japanese and Korean adults, using analysis of covariance (ancova) and multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for all covariates using propensity scores.ancova showed that PF age in older Japanese adults was significantly younger than in their Korean counterparts. Older Japanese adults exercised significantly less frequently than their Korean counterparts. Furthermore, older Japanese adults practiced significantly less walking, mountain climbing and bicycling, but more calisthenics, resistance training, ball games and dances than their Korean counterparts.We found that older Korean adults had lower PF (3.7 years older in PF age) than their Japanese counterparts. Although the overall frequency and amount of habitual exercise in older Korean adults were higher than those in their Japanese counterparts, particular types of exercise might have contributed to the higher PF levels among older Japanese adults. Thus, older Korean adults might need to engage more in habitual exercises that are specifically effective in maintaining PF. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 576-583.

To evaluate the relationship between kidney function without diabetes and components of the frailty phenotype in community-dwelling Japanese older adults.Participants were 8343 residents who completed baseline assessments, classified into four categories according to eGFR. Frailty status was defined using five criteria: (i) slow gait speed; (ii) muscle weakness; (iii) low physical activity; (iv) exhaustion; and (v) unintentional weight loss.After multivariate adjustment, participants with the lowest kidney function were at higher risk of frailty (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.02-3.50) than those with normal kidney function. In addition, after adjustment for multiple confounders, estimated glomerular filtration rate30 was associated with a greater risk of the individual frailty components of weight loss (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.11-4.12), low physical activity (OR 1.35, 95% CI, 1.01-2.54) and slowness (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.36-3.77) compared with estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60.Lower kidney function was associated with a higher risk of weight loss, low physical activity and slowness among community-dwelling Japanese older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 286-292.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older Japanese adults.A cross-sectional study design was used to obtain data from 3191 community-dwelling older Japanese adults aged 70-95 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed using self-reported scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. PA was objectively measured using an accelerometer worn for a maximum of 40 days, and average daily durations of light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and step count were calculated. PA was compared between participants with and without depressive symptoms by carrying out analysis of covariance and multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for all covariates by using propensity scores.Depressive symptoms were present in 598 participants (19.6%). A comparison of propensity-score adjusted PA showed that step count (5059.6 ± 53.7 vs 5003.0 ± 112.1 count/day; P = 0.652) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA duration (23.0 ± 0.4 vs 23.8 ± 0.7 min/day; P = 0.358) were not significantly different between participants with and without depressive symptoms, respectively. However, participants without depressive symptoms had a significantly higher LPA duration than those with depressive symptoms (39.4 ± 0.3 vs 37.3 ± 0.7 min/day, respectively; P0.01).The present results suggest that individuals with lower LPA have a higher risk of depressive symptoms. These findings imply that PA recommendations, especially for older adults, should emphasize LPA, which appears to be especially effective at preventing depressive symptoms. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 421-427.

Aim Habitual moderate vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) positively affects lower-extremity performance. It is unclear whether habitual light-intensity physical activity (LPA), such as leisurely walking, has similar effects on lower-extremity performance. The aim of the present study was to identify the associations between habitual LPA and lower-extremity performance in older adults. Methods This cross-sectional study included 802 community-dwelling Japanese older adults, 187 men and 615 women, aged 60–96 years. A uniaxial accelerometer measured physical activity intensity for over 10 h/day continuously for 7 days. Lower-extremity performance was assessed by repeated chair stands (RCS), single-leg stance (SLS) and Timed Up & Go (TUG). Multiple regression analysis was used to identify whether LPA was associated with lower-extremity performance, independent of potential confounders. Results The multiple regression analysis showed that longer LPA was significantly associated with better performance of RCS and TUG. In the results of stratified analyses, LPA was significantly associated with RCS in participants aged ≥75 years and in those with at least one medical condition or joint pain. LPA was also associated with TUG in participants aged ≥75 years, in those with at least one medical condition or joint pain and in those with low MVPA (

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine the association of ha- bitual exercise with "single fall (= 1)", "multiple falls (≥ 2)", and "injurious falls (≥ 1)" among community-dwelling older adults. A total of 1,683 community-dwelling older adults, aged 60- 97 years (72.6 +/- 6.6 yr, 512 men and 1,171 women) were included in this study. Habitual ex- ercises continued one year or longer (6.4 +/- 9.5 yr) were classified into twelve types. Exercise components (time, quantity, period of continuity, and number of exercises) were divided with median or tertiles. To assess the association between habitual exercises and fall status, multi- variable logistic regression analyses with stepwise selection method, were applied. The multi- variable logistic regression analyses showed that dance (odds ratio (OR): 0.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09-0.96) was negatively associated with "single fall". Bicycling (OR: 3.72, 95% CI: 1.32-10.77) was positively associated with "multiple falls", and the period of continuity (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60-0.91) was negatively associated with "multiple falls". None of the exercise components were selected with regard to "injurious falls". Results indicate that dance may be an effective type of exercise for fall prevention among community-dwelling older adults. However, caution about falling is warranted toward bicycling as an exercise. Moreover, a longer period of continuity (≥ 4 years) appears to be a positive factor of habitual exercise for fall prevention. Jpn J Phys Fitness Sports Med, 63(4): 391-400 (2014)

Aim To identify whether individual physical performance measures or a combination of measures is a better indicator of multiple geriatric syndromes (MGS) defined as the concomitant presence of more than one geriatric syndrome in an individual. Methods We carried out cross-sectional analyses on data from 340 community-dwelling women aged 75 years and older (mean 80.0 years). We examined the following geriatric syndromes: urinary incontinence, falls, underweight, depression and functional decline. Trained testers measured usual gait speed (UGS), hand-grip strength and lower extremity performance (LEP) score derived from four LEP measures: tandem stance, chair stand test, alternate step and timed up-and-go (TUG). We categorized UGS to distinguish high- and low-performing participants using the established 1.0 m/s cut-off point. Applying the same population percentile (35.8%), we determined cut-off points for all individual measures and the LEP score. Results The UGS, TUG and LEP score had similar discriminating powers for MGS (each with area under receiver–operator curves [AUC] of 0.80), which were more significant than the discriminating powers of other individual measures (AUC = 0.69–0.76) when considered as continuous variables. A slow UGS, especially less than 1.0 m/s, was more strongly associated with MGS (odds ratio [OR] = 7.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.6–15.9) than the same percentiles for TUG (OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.9–7.8) and LEP score (OR = 5.2, 95% CI = 2.5–10.6). Conclusion The UGS test alone might be sufficient in detecting MGS in women aged 75 years and older compared with a more comprehensive test battery. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 901–910.