Changes in temporal parameters during performance of the Step Test in older adults

•We studied the changes in the temporal parameters of the Step Test performance.•Changes occurred in temporal parameters during each minute of the Step Test.•Age was correlated with temporal parameters of the Step Test.•Aerobic endurance, strength and mobility attenuated the effects of age.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the changes in the temporal parameters measured during the performance of the Step Test, to evaluate the relationship between age and these measurements and to determine their relationships to aerobic endurance, muscular strength and mobility in a sample of older adults. Eighty-eight older adults (mean age = 73.0 years, SD = 5.4) participated in the study. During the Step Test, we collected measurements of the following temporal parameters using the Optojump system: step number, support time and executive time. We also evaluated the performance of the Six-Minute Walk Test, the 30-Second Chair Rise Test and the Timed Up and Go Test. We observed a significant decrease in the step number and an increase in the support time and executive time (p = .001) during each minute of the test. The results revealed that the relationship between age and Step Test performance was attenuated when we controlled for potential confounding variables. Controlling for age, gender and BMI, variance in support time during the Step Test was accounted for by variance in 30-Second Chair Rise Test performance (partial r = −.224). Moreover, variance in executive time was accounted for by variance in 30-Second Chair Rise Test (partial r = .234) and Timed Up and Go Test performance (partial r = −.259). Understanding the factors that are associated with the performance of the Step Test may provide new insights into the development of specific intervention programmes for older adults.