Objectives: Two indices of functional gait ability were developed in Japan: the 8-figure walking (8FW) and 10m hurdle-walking (10mHW). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between these two indices and physical characteristics in Taiwanese elderly. Results will help in establishing physical fitness indices of Taiwanese elderly. Methods: Some 110 residents ＞ 40 years living in the Neihu area around Taipei were recruited. Subjects were aged 65.6±9.6 years, 157.3±6.7 cm tall, weighed 70.9±10.1 kg, and had body mass index (BMI) 24.5±3.4. Results: The average values of 8FW and 10mHW were 16.1±4.1 sec and 10.1±2.7 sec, respectively. Age moderately correlated with 8FW (r=0.618, p＜0.01) and 10mHW (r=0.473, p＜0.01). BMI also weakly correlated with 8FW (r=0.210, p＜0.05) and 10mHW (r=0.300, p＜0.01). Partial correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between physical characteristics and the two items. When age was controlled for, BMI weakly correlated with 8FW (r=0.198, p＜0.05) and 10mHW (r=0.294, p＜0.01). When BMI was controlled for, age was further moderately correlated with 8FW (r=0.615, p＜0.01) and 10mHW (r=0.470, p＜0.01). Conclusions: Both 8FW and 10mHW significantly correlated with age and BMI in Taiwanese elderly, indicating strong correlation of functional gait ability with physical characteristics in this population.

八字步行;十公尺障礙物步行;年齡;身體組成;中老年人

8-figure walking, 10 m hurdle-walking, age, body composition, the elderly