Outcome-dependent effects of walking speed and age on quantitative and qualitative gait measures

Flat foot is the most common foot disorder that influences the alignment of the lower limb structure. It is controversial whether the use of foot insole influences kinetic and kinematic of the leg or not. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of foot insole on the gait performance in subjects with flat foot disorder. A group of flat foot subject was recruited into this study (the number of subjects was 15). The motion of the leg joints was determined using the Qualysis motion analysis system. Moreover, the force applied on the lower limb was recorded by a Kistler force plate. The range of motion of the lower limb joints, the moments applied on the lower limb joints and force transmitted through the leg were the parameters used in this study. The difference between these parameters during walking with and without insole was evaluated using the paired [Formula: see text]-test. Significant value was set at [Formula: see text]. There was no significant difference between the range of motion of ankle joint while walking with and without insole. However, the medial directed force applied on the leg decreased significantly [Formula: see text]. The use of foot insole did not influence the moments transmitted through the hip and knee joints. The walking speed of the subjects improved while walking with foot insole. Use of foot insole influenced the magnitude of the force applied on the leg and the adductor moment of ankle joint due to its influence on foot alignment. As the walking speed of the improved subjects follows the use of insole, it can be concluded that it may have a positive effects on the performance of flat foot subjects.

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Physical Characteristics Vary According to Body Mass Index in Japanese Community-Dwelling Elderly Women

Geriatrics ◽

10.3390/geriatrics3040087 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 87 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Koji Nonaka ◽

Shin Murata ◽

Kayoko Shiraiwa ◽

Teppei Abiko ◽

Hideki Nakano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Physical Characteristics ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Weight Group ◽

Normal Weight Group ◽

Knee Extension Strength

Background: Body mass index (BMI) is related to health in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical characteristics in underweight, overweight, and obese Japanese community-dwelling elderly women compared to normal-weight elderly women. Methods: The study participants included 212 community-dwelling elderly women. They were categorized as underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 22.9), overweight (23 ≤ BMI ≤ 24.9), and obese (BMI ≥ 25). Data on skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), number of trunk curl-ups performed within 30 seconds, knee extension strength, one-leg standing time, and walking speed were recorded. Results: In the underweight group, the number of trunk curl-ups was significantly lower than that of the normal-weight group (p = 0.011) and the correlation between knee extension strength and walking speed was relatively higher than in the normal-weight group (r = 0.612 vs. r = 0.471). In the overweight group, the SMI was significantly increased (p < 0.001), but knee extension strength was not increased (p = 0.235) compared to that of the normal-weight group. In the obese group, one-leg standing time was significantly shorter than in the normal-weight group (p = 0.016). Conclusions: Physical characteristics vary according to BMI and these findings are useful in assessing and planning interventional programs to improve and maintain physical function in elderly women.

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Myofascial Release of the Hamstrings Improves Physical Performance—A Study of Young Adults

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9060674 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 674

Author(s):

Keisuke Itotani ◽

Kanta Kawahata ◽

Wakana Takashima ◽

Wakana Mita ◽

Hitomi Minematsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Quadriceps Muscle ◽

Lower Limbs ◽

Joint Movement ◽

Myofascial Release ◽

Functional Reach Test ◽

Hamstring Flexibility ◽

Walking Speeds

Physical performance is mainly assessed in terms of gait speed, chair rise capacity, and balance skills, and assessments are often carried out on the lower limbs. Such physical performance is largely influenced by the strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings muscles. Flexibility of the hamstrings is important because quadriceps muscle activity influences the hip flexion angle. Therefore, hamstring flexibility is essential to improve physical performance. In this study, Myofascial Release (MFR) was applied to the hamstrings to evaluate its effects. MFR on the hamstrings was performed on 17 young adults. Physical function and physical performance were measured before, immediately after, and 5 days after the MFR intervention: finger floor distance (FFD), range of motion (ROM) of the straight leg raising test (SLR), standing long jump (SLJ), squat jump (SJ), functional reach test (FRT), comfortable walking speeds (C-walking speed), and maximum walking speeds (M-walking speed). The results of the analysis show a significant increase in FFD (−2.6 ± 8.9 vs. 0.4 ± 9.4 vs. 2.4 ± 8.9, p < 0.01), SLJ (185.6 ± 44.5 vs. 185.0 ± 41.8 vs. 196.6 ± 40.1, p < 0.01), and M-walking speed (2.9 ± 0.6 vs. 3.0 ± 0.6 vs. 3.3 ± 0.6, p < 0.01). This study has shown that MFR for hamstrings not only improves flexibility but also increases M-walking speed and physical performance of the SLJ. As MFR is safe and does not involve joint movement, it may be useful for maintaining and improving performance and flexibility during inactivity and for stretching before exercise.

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Walking speed declines with age in male and female baboons ( Papio sp .): Confirmation of findings with sex as a biological variable

Journal of Medical Primatology ◽

10.1111/jmp.12538 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hillary F. Huber ◽

Kenneth G. Gerow ◽

Cun Li ◽

Peter W. Nathanielsz

Keyword(s):

Walking Speed ◽

Male And Female ◽

Biological Variable

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Treadmill walking improves walking speed and distance in ambulatory people after stroke and is not inferior to overground walking: a systematic review

Journal of Physiotherapy ◽

10.1016/j.jphys.2021.02.014 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lucas R Nascimento ◽

Augusto Boening ◽

Abílio Galli ◽

Janaine C Polese ◽

Louise Ada

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Treadmill Walking ◽

Overground Walking

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Effects of walking speed on the step-by-step control of step width

Journal of Biomechanics ◽

10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.12.026 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 68 ◽

pp. 78-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Katy H. Stimpson ◽

Lauren N. Heitkamp ◽

Joscelyn S. Horne ◽

Jesse C. Dean

Keyword(s):

Walking Speed ◽

Step Width ◽

Step Control

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Effectiveness of an ankle–foot orthosis on walking in patients with stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-95449-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yoo Jin Choo ◽

Min Cheol Chang

Keyword(s):

Stride Length ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Sagittal Plane ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Step Length ◽

Stride Time ◽

Plane Angle ◽

Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽

Biomechanical Parameters ◽

Foot Orthosis

AbstractWe conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the effectiveness of ankle–foot orthosis (AFO) use in improving gait biomechanical parameters such as walking speed, mobility, and kinematics in patients with stroke with gait disturbance. We searched the MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus databases and retrieved studies published until June 2021. Experimental and prospective studies were included that evaluated biomechanics or kinematic parameters with or without AFO in patients with stroke. We analyzed gait biomechanical parameters, including walking speed, mobility, balance, and kinematic variables, in studies involving patients with and without AFO use. The criteria of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions were used to evaluate the methodological quality of the studies, and the level of evidence was evaluated using the Research Pyramid model. Funnel plot analysis and Egger’s test were performed to confirm publication bias. A total of 19 studies including 434 participants that reported on the immediate or short-term effectiveness of AFO use were included in the analysis. Significant improvements in walking speed (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.50; 95% CI 0.34–0.66; P < 0.00001; I2, 0%), cadence (SMD, 0.42; 95% CI 0.22–0.62; P < 0.0001; I2, 0%), step length (SMD, 0.41; 95% CI 0.18–0.63; P = 0.0003; I2, 2%), stride length (SMD, 0.43; 95% CI 0.15–0.71; P = 0.003; I2, 7%), Timed up-and-go test (SMD, − 0.30; 95% CI − 0.54 to − 0.07; P = 0.01; I2, 0%), functional ambulation category (FAC) score (SMD, 1.61; 95% CI 1.19–2.02; P < 0.00001; I2, 0%), ankle sagittal plane angle at initial contact (SMD, 0.66; 95% CI 0.34–0.98; P < 0.0001; I2, 0%), and knee sagittal plane angle at toe-off (SMD, 0.39; 95% CI 0.04–0.73; P = 0.03; I2, 46%) were observed when the patients wore AFOs. Stride time, body sway, and hip sagittal plane angle at toe-off were not significantly improved (p = 0.74, p = 0.07, p = 0.07, respectively). Among these results, the FAC score showed the most significant improvement, and stride time showed the lowest improvement. AFO improves walking speed, cadence, step length, and stride length, particularly in patients with stroke. AFO is considered beneficial in enhancing gait stability and ambulatory ability.

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