Physical characteristics of elderly individuals who require walking aids: A two-year longitudinal study

This study aimed to identify the characteristics of elderly individuals in need of nursing care who would require a walking aid after two years and to examine the factors that make it challenging for them to walk alone. This study involved 179 elderly individuals in need of care, whose grip strength, balance, lower limb muscle strength, and walking ability were assessed. Participants were divided into two groups based on whether they were using walking aids after two years, and their physical function was compared.A logistic regression analysis was conducted with the use of a walking aid as the dependent variable and the items showing significant differences between the two groups as independent variables. Knee extension muscle strength was a significant factor. Furthermore, the incidence curves of walking aid use were compared between the two groups based on the presence or absence of knee extensor muscle weakness.The findings indicated that individuals who required a walking aid after two years had reduced knee extensor muscle strength, highlighting the importance of using a walking aid at an earlier stage.