Desempenho no teste de velocidade de marcha em idosos e tempo de travessia em vias com semáforos: estudo transversal de base populacional

Abstract

Introduction: Elderly pedestrians often report difficulty completing crossings in the time estimated by traffic lights. Reduced habitual walking speed in the elderly population is strongly associated with an increase in the mortality rate during crossings, as well as the risk of falls, disabilities and cognitive impairment. Objectives: To analyze the gait speed of community dwelling elderly; to verify the factors associated with socioeconomic, clinical and health variables, considering the regulated crossing time on roads with traffic lights for pedestrians. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with 411 elderly people (70.15±7.25 years old) from Macapá, Amapá. Socioeconomic, clinical and health variables were collected using a structured form. Walking speed was assessed using the usual walking speed test, which is among the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) tests. For the analysis of the time established for crossing roads with traffic lights for pedestrians, data consulted in the traffic departments of the municipality were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics from the binary logistic regression model. Results: Most seniors (76.4%) presented a walking speed lower than the crossing time established by regulation (<1.2 m/s), except for classification (<0.9 m/s). Elderly women, those of advanced age, with dependence for instrumental activities of daily living, with reduced muscle strength, are likely to walk for less time than that established by the traffic department (<1.2 m/s), and at alternative cutoff points. Conclusion: The time established for crossing streets with traffic lights for pedestrians in Macapá is insufficient for most elderly people.