Comparison of Walking Ability, Lordosis and Kyphosis Angle in Elderly Athlete and Non-athlete Men

Background and With aging problems will be increased and these problems affect with deferent ways. The purpose of this study is the comparison walking ability, lordosis and kyphosis angle in athlete and non-athlete elderly men. This study is Quasi-Experimental. The variables assessed field and visual measurement. So, 54 subject (age: 64.37±4.30 y-o, height: 1.66±0.63 M, weight: 75.20±10.57 Kg) divided in to athlete and non-athlete groups. In order to kyphosis and lordosis assessment, flexible ruler as a non-invasive method and reliable (r=84-97) and walking ability assessment maximal walking speed, timed up and go test, 10-m obstacle walking time, and 6-min walk distance were used. Data analyzing was accomplished with independent sample T test and Pearson's correlation. All of the process analyzing was performed in SPSS version 22 (P≤0.05). The results of this investigation has shown athleteselderly have a higher ability to walk and lower kyphosis angle compared to non-athletes elderly. So, forward bending is decreased in athletes elderly. The correlation between walking ability and lordosis in non-athletes and the correlation between kyphosis and walking ability in both group were not significant. The correlation lordosis with 10-m obstacle walking time P=0.010 and timed up and go test p= 0.02in athlete group was significant but there was no significant correlation with 6 min walk distance p=0.792 and maximal walking speed p=0.058. the results emphasis on having a regular exercises in elder people because training and exercises could have good effects on walking ability and kyphosis angle.