Commonly measured constructs of mobility included walking , climbing stairs , and lower extremity function .
There was heterogeneity in ways of defining and measuring mobility limitation in older adults living in the community .
Mobility is critical in maintaining independence in older adults .
This study aims to systematic ally review the scientific literature to identify measures of mobility limitation for community-dwelling older adults .
Muscle strength and BMI as predictors of major mobility disability in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders pilot (LIFE-P).
BACKGROUND Muscle weakness and obesity are two significant threats to mobility facing the increasing number of older adults . To date , there are no studies that have examined the association of strength and body mass index ( BMI ) on event rates on a widely used performance measure of major mobility disability . METHODS This study was a secondary analysis of a r and omized controlled trial in which sedentary functionally limited participants ( 70 - 89 years , Short Physical Performance Battery ≤ 9 ) who were able to complete a 400-m walk test at baseline were r and omized to a physical activity or health education intervention and reassessed for major mobility disability every 6 months for up to 18 months . We evaluated whether baseline grip strength and BMI predicted failure to complete the 400-m walk test in 15 minutes or less ( major mobility disability ) . RESULTS Among N = 406 participants with baseline measures  , lower grip strength was associated with an increased risk for developing major mobility disability , with and without covariate adjustment ( p < .01 ) : The hazard ratio ( 95 % confidence interval ) for the lowest versus high sex-specific quartile of grip strength was 6.11 ( 2.24 - 16.66 ) . We observed a U-shaped relationship between baseline BMI and the risk of developing major mobility disability , such that the risk for participants with a BMI of 25 - 29 kg/m(2 ) was approximately half that of participants with BMI less than 25 or 30 kg/m(2 ) or more ( p = .04 in fully adjusted analyses ) . CONCLUSIONS Our data highlight the importance of muscle weakness , low BMI , and obesity as risk factors for major mobility disability in older adults . Being overweight may be protective for major mobility disability
Commonly measured constructs of mobility included walking , climbing stairs , and lower extremity function .
There was heterogeneity in ways of defining and measuring mobility limitation in older adults living in the community .
Mobility is critical in maintaining independence in older adults .
This study aims to systematic ally review the scientific literature to identify measures of mobility limitation for community-dwelling older adults .