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Background/Objective <p>Although different neuromuscular strength (NS) cutoff points have been proposed to identify low walking speed (WS) in older adults, the extent to which NS changes predict long-term WS decline remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the percentage of NS change associated with WS decline in older adults.</p> Methods <p>A longitudinal analysis was conducted using data from 4,541 participants aged ≥ 60&#xa0;years in the ELSA Study. Changes in NS over four, eight, and twelve years of follow-up, compared to baseline, were categorised into nine groups: maintenance of NS within ± 5%, increases of 5–10%, 10–15%, 15–20%, or more than 20%, and reductions in the same ranges. Generalised linear mixed models were used to evaluate WS trajectories (m/s) as a function of NS changes, adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioural, and clinical factors.</p> Results <p>Participants who experienced a 15–20% (-0.007&#xa0;m/s per year; 95% CI: -0.013 to -0.002) and more than 20% (-0.004&#xa0;m/s per year; 95% CI: -0.007 to -0.001) reduction in NS had greater WS decline compared to those with stable NS (± 5%). Over 12&#xa0;years, these reductions corresponded to WS declines of -0.189&#xa0;m/s and -0.144&#xa0;m/s, respectively.</p> Conclusion <p>Losing 15% or more of neuromuscular strength reduces walking speed over time. Therefore, monitoring the percentage change in NS can serve as a useful tool for early detection of the risk of WS decline, allowing for more personalised clinical investigations and timely neuromuscular strengthening interventions to minimise adverse effects on mobility in older adults.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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What percentage of neuromuscular strength reduction in older adults determines the decline in walking speed?

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月20日

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  • Yasmin Oliveira Machado,
  • Mariane Marques Luiz,
  • Roberta de Oliveira Máximo,
  • Sara Souza Lima,
  • Andrew Steptoe,
  • Cesar de Oliveira,
  • Tiago da Silva Alexandre

摘要

Background/Objective

Although different neuromuscular strength (NS) cutoff points have been proposed to identify low walking speed (WS) in older adults, the extent to which NS changes predict long-term WS decline remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the percentage of NS change associated with WS decline in older adults.

Methods

A longitudinal analysis was conducted using data from 4,541 participants aged ≥ 60 years in the ELSA Study. Changes in NS over four, eight, and twelve years of follow-up, compared to baseline, were categorised into nine groups: maintenance of NS within ± 5%, increases of 5–10%, 10–15%, 15–20%, or more than 20%, and reductions in the same ranges. Generalised linear mixed models were used to evaluate WS trajectories (m/s) as a function of NS changes, adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioural, and clinical factors.

Results

Participants who experienced a 15–20% (-0.007 m/s per year; 95% CI: -0.013 to -0.002) and more than 20% (-0.004 m/s per year; 95% CI: -0.007 to -0.001) reduction in NS had greater WS decline compared to those with stable NS (± 5%). Over 12 years, these reductions corresponded to WS declines of -0.189 m/s and -0.144 m/s, respectively.

Conclusion

Losing 15% or more of neuromuscular strength reduces walking speed over time. Therefore, monitoring the percentage change in NS can serve as a useful tool for early detection of the risk of WS decline, allowing for more personalised clinical investigations and timely neuromuscular strengthening interventions to minimise adverse effects on mobility in older adults.

Graphical Abstract