Walking speed as an aging biomarker in baboons (Papio hamadryas). Issue 6 (28th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huber, Hillary F.; Gerow, Kenneth G.; Nathanielsz, Peter W.
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical primatology. Volume 44:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 373
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2015-09-28
• Subjects: age‐related decline -- gait speed -- non‐human primates -- physical mobility; Primates -- Periodicals; Primates -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Medicine, Experimental -- Periodicals; 616.02738
• DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12199
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-2565

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Walking speed is an important human aging biomarker. Baboons are valuable translational models for aging studies. Establishing whether walking speed is a good aging biomarker has value. We hypothesized there would be characteristic age‐related decline in baboon walking speed. Methods: We studied 33 female baboons aged 5–21 years. Walking speed was calculated by the time to walk between landmarks separated by known distances. A regression model was developed to describe the relationship between speed, age, and body weight. Results: Speed negatively associated with age, a relationship enhanced by increased weight ( P < 0.0005). For 16‐kg animals, speed declined approximately 0.6 cm/s yearly. For each additional kilogram of weight, speed declined an additional 0.3 cm/s yearly. Conclusions: Baboon walking speed declines with age, an effect modulated by weight. Ease of measurement and strong age association make walking speed a valuable biomarker for aging research with this important experimental species.