Trajectories of physical performance and associated factors in community-dwelling older adults

OBJECTIVES: To investigate 10-year trajectories of physical performance and identify associated socioeconomic, demographic, health-related, and behavioral factors among community-dwelling older adults. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort using data from three waves (2014, 2019, and 2024) of a population-based study of adults aged ≥60 in southern Brazil. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical performance was assessed using gait speed (GS, m/s) and the Timed Up and Go test (TUG, seconds). Trajectories were modeled using a group-based semiparametric approach. Associations with socioeconomic, demographic, health-related, and behavioral factors were examined using multinomial and binomial logistic regression. RESULTS: 746 participants had their physical performance trajectories over 10 years modeled. Three GS trajectories (lower, 27.4%; intermediate, 60.8%; higher, 11.8%) and two TUG trajectories (gradual increase, 83.0%; rapid increase, 17.0%) were identified. Poorer physical performance trajectories were associated with sex, age, schooling, economic level, functional capacity, polypharmacy, low muscle strength, and self-rated health. The highest relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) of being classified in the poorest GS and TUG trajectories were observed among women (RR 10.01, 95%CI 5.22-19.17; OR 2.26, 95%CI 1.40-3.63), individuals with