Physical and Psychological Factors Associated With Stair Negotiation Performance in Older People

Many physiological and psychological factors were significantly associated with stair negotiation speed. Multiple regression analyses revealed that knee extension and knee flexor strength, lower limb proprioception, edge contrast sensitivity, reaction time involving a foot-press response, leaning balance, fear of falling, and the Short-Form 12 Health Status Questionnaire (SF-12) pain and vitality scores were significant and independent predictors of stair ascent and descent performance. The combined set of variables explained 47% of the variance in stair ascent performance and 50% of the variance in stair descent performance. Measures of strength, balance, vision, fear, and vitality also significantly discriminated between persons who did and did not require the use of the handrail when performing the tests. Discussion. In community-dwelling older people, impaired stair negotiation is associated not only with reduced strength but also with impaired sensation, strength, and balance; reduced vitality; presence of pain; and increased fear of falling.