Abstract

EFFECT OF AGE ON TEST PERFORMANCE IN COMMUNITY DWELLING ELDERLY PEOPLE: 6 MINUTES WALK TEST AND TEN STEPS TEST

The data available in literature for test performance in elderly people are less and insufficient for use as a basis of comparison. The aim of the study was to investigate age related changes in functional performance tests and to determine criterion values depending on age in older adults who are functioning independently in the community. Aim: To study the effect of age on test performance in 6 Minute Walk Test and Ten Step test in community dwelling elderly people. Objectives: To assess 6 minute walk distance, time taken to perform ten step test and to report data within age cohorts. Method: Total 90 subjects were included and divided into 3 groups according to age group, A-(61-65), B-(66-70), and C-(71-75) in each 30 subjects. 6 Minute Walk Test and Ten Step Test were performed on them. The data obtained was analyzed using one way ANOVA and post hoc test. Result: The mean 6 MWD in group A was 317.13 ± 35.44 mts, in group B was 297.10 ± 47.14 mts and in group C was 262.83 ± 42.14 mts. The 10 Step Test time was found to be 11.36 ± 2.06 sec in group A, 13.24 ± 3.49 sec in group B and 14.74 ± 3.16 sec in group C. The results showed that there is a progressive decrease in the 6 MWD and progressive increase in the time taken to complete TST with increasing age. Conclusion: From the results it can be concluded that there is a progressive decrease in the test performance (6MWT & 10 Step test) with age in community dwelling elderly people. The results of this study can be used as reference values while performing performance tests for elderly people in the community.

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