Our aim in this study was to examine the relationship between physical ability / walking ability / body composition and the fractal scaling index (α) which was derived from the walking rhythms of the 26 healthy elderly subjects by using detrended fluctuation analysis. α was regarded as an index to show the stability of the gait in previous studies. In the present study, α was correlated with agility and adjustability components of the physical ability. It was also correlated with the distance subjects could walk in 3 minutes in shuttle stamina walk tests. The results implied that the improvement of agility and adjustability might be useful for preventing the elderly from accidental falls, and for maintaining the ability to walk for a long time and over long distance. In addition, the elderly with higher α had the tendency that they had less fat and more muscle. Our research suggests that improving some physical abilities like agility, adjustability and flexibility in daily life and light exercise will improve the stability of gait and may be useful for preventing falls.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.29/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE