Physical function changes and locomotive syndrome progression in older Japanese adults
In 58 community-dwelling adults aged 60 or older, greater two-year increases in chair-stand and sit-and-reach performance were associated with lower risk of locomotive syndrome progression. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Fifty-eight community-dwelling adults aged 60 or older who completed a two-year follow-up were analyzed. [1]
Over two years, 16 participants (27.6%) showed progression of locomotive syndrome. [1]
In age-adjusted models, greater increases in chair-stand and sit-and-reach performance were associated with lower risk of progression. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Two-year longitudinal observational study (abstract)
- Population / context
- Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 or older in a municipal preventive care program in Japan; 58 completed two-year follow-up.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 1, 2026
Two-year follow-up of 58 older adults in Japan
The study asked whether changes in physical function are associated with progression of locomotive syndrome (LS), a condition affecting mobility, over two years. Participants were community-dwelling adults aged 60 or older in a municipal preventive care program; 58 completed the two-year follow-up and were analyzed. LS was assessed with the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale and the two-step test, and participants were grouped by LS stage.
Supporting source [1]
Chair-stand and sit-and-reach gains linked to lower progression risk
Physical function was measured with grip strength, the sit-and-reach test (SRT) and the 30-second chair stand test (CS-30). Over two years, 16 participants (27.6%) showed LS progression. Those who maintained or improved their LS stage had greater increases in CS-30 and SRT performance than those with progression. In age-adjusted logistic regression, increases in CS-30 (odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.66–0.99) and SRT (odds ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.83–0.99) were significantly associated with reduced risk of LS progression.
Supporting source [1]
Abstract-only scope: associations, not proven prevention
The authors conclude that changes in lower-limb muscle endurance and flexibility were significantly associated with LS progression and that maintaining or improving these functions may help prevent mobility decline. These are associations from a small observational cohort of 58 people, not proof that changing these functions prevents progression. Only the abstract was reviewed; the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a small observational cohort (58 analyzed), so the reported associations do not establish that changing physical function prevents progression.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Kobayashi Y, Inamura T. · europepmc.org · October 1, 2026