Published: ​January 25, 2018 | By Sydney Valentino
Alexandra Mayhew, a PhD Student in the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at McMaster University (supervisor Dr. Parmindar Raina), delivered a talk on her work entitled:
“Physical function and disability in the Canadian longitudinal study on aging”
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The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is a national study of over 50,000 Canadians aged 45 to 85 years who will be followed for at least 20 years. The CLSA collects information on the changing biological, medical, psychological, social, lifestyle and economic aspects of people’s lives. These factors will be studied to understand their impact in maintaining health and in the development of disease and disability as people age.
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This presentation discussed the measures of physical function and disability included in the CLSA dataset from baseline data collection as well as an investigation of the relationship between physical function and disability.
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Physical function in the tracking cohort (n~20,000) was measured using self-reported ability to complete various upper body, lower body, and dexterity related tasks without difficulty.
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In the comprehensive cohort (n~30,000), physical function was measured using performance tests, including the 4 meter walk, timed up and go, 5 repetition chair rise, single leg balance, and grip strength. Disability was measured using basic activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.
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Functional limitations, regardless of if they were measured using self-report data or performance tests were associated with having at least one limitation in either basic or instrumental activities of daily living.
This blog post was first published by the MIRA Trainee Network. Read the ​original article.​
