Associations of Social Network Characteristics With Gait Speed in Older Women From Physical Activity Community Groups

The identification of social network factors associated with gait speed may offer different perspectives for improving community and clinical interventions for older adults. The objective of this study was to explore the associations of the social network of friends with gait speed. This was a cross...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aging and physical activity 2021-12, Vol.29 (6), p.976-983
Main Authors: Arango-Paternina, Carlos M, Ramírez-Villada, Jhon F, Tibaduiza-Romero, Annie A, Rodríguez-Perdomo, Leonardo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Body composition
Community organizations
Exercise
Friendship
Gait
Medical screening
Older people
Older women
Physical activity
Popularity
Social isolation
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Summary:The identification of social network factors associated with gait speed may offer different perspectives for improving community and clinical interventions for older adults. The objective of this study was to explore the associations of the social network of friends with gait speed. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a sample of 128 older adult women recruited in community groups of physical activity. Clinical screening, social network questions, body composition evaluation, and gait speed test were applied to the participants. Logistic regression models were used to analyze associations between characteristics of the social network of friends and high gait speed. Findings indicated that social isolation was not associated with high gait speed and that popularity and proportion of friends with high gait speed were significantly associated with high gait speed. Findings suggested that there was a relationship between social network factors and the ability to perform high gait speed.
ISSN:1063-8652
1543-267X
DOI:10.1123/japa.2020-0054