Background and Objectives: Early assessment interventions are recommended for older adults with sarcopenia. Gait speed in older adults considerably decreases activities of daily living (ADL). However, the association between ADL and gait speed in older adults with sarcopenia has not yet been fully elucidated. This study aimed to clarify the association between walking speed and ADL in older adults with sarcopenia. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 older adults with sarcopenia who required support or care under Japan’s long-term care insurance system were included. Correlation and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the association between walking speed and ADL performance. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the discrimination power of gait speed for ADL independence. Results: Gait speed was significantly and positively correlated with the Barthel Index scores for the men and women. ADL were independently and significantly associated with walking speed in the multivariate analysis. The threshold for gait speed that distinguished ADL independence in older adults with sarcopenia was 0.76 m/s (area under the curve = 0.75, sensitivity 72.7%, specificity 74.0%). Conclusions: Decreased gait speed in older adults with sarcopenia was associated with decreased ADL. Gait speed had high discriminatory power in identifying ADL independence. This indicates that an assessment intervention for gait speed in older adults with sarcopenia may have high clinical utility.

Objectives: Despite growing interest in locomotive syndrome (LS), its relationship with subjective well-being remains unclear, highlighting a gap in the existing literature. Therefore, as a pilot study providing preliminary insights, this study aimed to clarify the association of subjective well-being (life satisfaction and happiness) with LS and frailty, a key concept in geriatric medicine, among community-dwelling individuals. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 111 older adults aged 80 years living in City A, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. LS (5-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale [GLFS-5]), frailty (Kihon Checklist [KCL]), and subjective well-being (life satisfaction and happiness) were assessed. Group comparisons were performed based on life satisfaction (Satisfied vs. Unsatisfied) and happiness (Happy vs. Unhappy). Binary logistic regression analyses were also conducted, with LS and frailty as dependent variables and subjective well-being (Satisfied–Happy [reference], Satisfied–Unhappy, Unsatisfied–Unhappy) as independent variables. Results: LS was observed in 32 participants (28.8%), and frailty was observed in 25 participants (22.5%). In the group comparisons, the prevalence of LS and frailty was significantly higher in the Unsatisfied and Unhappy groups. In multivariable analyses, the Unsatisfied–Unhappy group was significantly associated with LS (p = 0.002) and frailty (p = 0.031). Conclusions: Among community-dwelling individuals aged 80 years, low life satisfaction and happiness were shown to be associated with LS and frailty.

Background/Objectives: We evaluated changes in locomotive syndrome (LS) and frailty following locomotion training (LT) in community-dwelling older adults and explored their characteristics with favorable outcomes for each condition. Methods: In this pre–post intervention study, 37 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 77.6 ± 6.0 years) who participated in a community-based preventive care program completed a 126-day home-based LT program of single-leg standing, squats, and heel raises. Before and after the intervention, LS was assessed using the LS risk test and frailty with the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study (J-CHS) criteria and Questionnaire for Medical Checkup of Old-Old (QMCOO); changes in LS and frailty were analyzed, and the baseline characteristics of participants with favorable outcomes were explored. Results: The LT was performed as prescribed or partially on 84.8% of days. Following the intervention, the LS stage (p = 0.016), J-CHS score (p = 0.014), and usual walking speed (p < 0.001) significantly improved. The QMCOO total score did not change significantly. Individual-level LS stage improved by at least one stage in 20.6% of participants with baseline LS. In participants with baseline pre-frailty/frailty, 43.5% (J-CHS) and 31.3% (QMCOO) improved by at least one category. LS favorable status was not associated with baseline frailty measures. In both J-CHS and QMCOO assessments, the robust maintenance/improvement groups were younger and had better baseline two-step test values and GLFS-25 scores. The QMCOO robust maintenance/improvement group had a better LS stage. Conclusions: Following LT, LS stage and J-CHS total score improved significantly, with favorable individual-level outcomes in LS and frailty. Participants with favorable frailty outcomes had better baseline LS measures, whereas participants with favorable LS outcomes did not differ in baseline frailty measures. Large controlled studies are warranted.

Introduction: The Japanese Medical Science Federation’s declaration highlighted that locomotive syndrome (LS) precedes frailty, emphasizing the importance of early intervention beginning in childhood and continuing throughout life. To date, no study has examined the relationship between LS in adults and height and weight during infancy and toddlerhood. As a preliminary investigation, this study aimed to clarify how height and weight during early life stages are related to LS among young adults. Methods: In this study, 62 students enrolled at a health sciences university were administered the locomotive syndrome risk test, and their grip strength was measured. Height and weight at birth, at 1 year, and at 3 years of age were obtained from the Maternal and Child Health Handbook. All participants were born via normal delivery. The relationships between the LS risk test results, height, and weight were analyzed using correlation and multivariate analyses. Results: Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between height and weight in infancy and toddlerhood and the following variables: two-step length, two-step test value, 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale score, and grip strength. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant relationship between two-step length and height at birth (p = 0.002), and between grip strength and weight at age 3 (p = 0.021). Conclusions: A weak-to-moderate relationship was found between LS and height and weight in infancy and toddlerhood. These findings suggest that preventive measures for LS should not be delayed until adulthood; rather, early-life interventions beginning in infancy, toddlerhood, and childhood may be crucial.