Study of Musculoskeletal Ambulation Disability Symptom Complex (MADS) in Elderly Community Residents: a Comparison of Physical Function between the Elderly with and without Potential MADS

[Purpose] This study examined the physical function of elderly community-dwellers with and without potential musculoskeletal ambulation disability symptom complex (MADS), determined by the evaluation criteria for the disease. [Subjects] The subjects were 522 community-dwelling elderly. [Methods] Subjects were divided into 2 groups, with (146) and without (376) potential MADS, to compare their physical function. Evaluation of physical function was made with the following 8 items: walking speed; 10-m obstacle walk; 6-minute walking distance; hand grip strength; quadriceps muscle strength; foot grip strength; sit-ups; and sit-and-reach flexibility. [Results] The results show that the age was significantly higher and the overall limb and trunk muscle strength was markedly lower in the elderly community-dwellers with potential MADS. However, in the analysis of covariance adjusting for the age and sex, significant differences between the groups were only observed in the foot grip strength and walking ability. [Conclusion] These results suggest that a decline in foot function and walking ability is characteristic of the physical function of the elderly with potential MADS.