scholarly journals Foot Mechanics Define Directional Changes in Curved-Path Walking: New Methods to Assess the Motor Skill of Walking

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1043-1044
Author(s):  
Haley Hicks ◽  
Anthony McBroom ◽  
Patrick Roscher ◽  
Jessie VanSwearingen ◽  
Kristin Lowry
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Walk Test ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Median Split ◽  
Curved Paths ◽  
Pearson Correlations ◽  
Interaction Center ◽  
Lateral Maximum

Abstract Although it is essential to navigating the world, curved path walking is a challenge to mediolateral balance control. The focus of previous curved-path walking research was in spatiotemporal characteristics. We quantified the foot-ground interaction, center of pressure (COP) characteristics during non-linear (eg curved-path) walking important to understand the functional mechanics of directional changes for curved paths. We hypothesized the foot mechanics differ between older adults with better versus poorer curved-path walking (Figure of 8 Walk Test, F8W). Twenty-five older adults (mean age 71.8 ± 8.9 years) completed the F8W on an instrumented walkway (Protokinetics, LLC.) The derived metrics of the foot mechanics included medial/lateral movement of the COP for inside and outside steps, maximum medial and lateral COP excursions, and total medial/lateral COP range. Pearson correlations were used to examine relations F8W (time and steps) and COP metrics; ANOVAs were used to examine differences in COP metrics between older adults grouped by median-split of F8W time. Longer F8W time and more steps were related to lesser total COP range and outside foot lateral maximum excursion (r range -0.415 to -0.706, p<0.04). Older adults with stronger F8W performance compared to poorer F8W performance had larger outside foot total COP ranges (3.61cm vs 4.39cm, p=0.016) and greater lateral excursion (1.60cm vs 2.12cm, p=0,003). Foot-ground interactions offer new insights into control of curved path walking and methods for evaluating efficacy of interventions focused on improving walking skill in older adults.

scholarly journals Association between Statin Use and Balance in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (13) ◽  
pp. 4662
Author(s):  
Antoine Langeard ◽  
Kathia Saillant ◽  
Elisabeth Charlebois Cloutier ◽  
Mathieu Gayda ◽  
Frédéric Lesage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Balance Assessment ◽  
Pressure Sensing ◽  
Heart Attacks ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Balance Deficits ◽  
Statin Use

Background: Several medications have been associated with an increased risk of balance deficits and greater likelihood to sustain a fall, representing a large health and economic issue. Statins are regularly prescribed to prevent strokes and heart attacks, but their impact on balance is unknown. The aim of this paper was to determine whether statin use is associated with poorer balance performances in older adults. Methods: All participants, one group taking statins (n = 34), and the other group not taking statins (n = 31), completed a balance assessment with their eyes closed and their eyes opened on a MatScan Pressure Sensing Mat. Center of Pressure (CoP) velocity, peak-to-peak distance, and standard deviation were collected in both anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed for each balance outcome, testing the statin use status as a predictor and controlling for appropriate factors including participants characteristics, lipid profile, and cardiovascular disease. Results: After controlling for confounding factors, statin use significantly predicted both CoP ML-Amplitude (β = 0.638, p = 0.004) and ML-Velocity (β = 0.653, p = 0.002) in the eyes-opened condition. Conclusions: The present study detected a negative association between statin use and balance control in the ML direction, suggesting that caution should be taken when prescribing statins in older adults, as this could decrease ML stability and ultimately increase fall and fracture risks.

EFFECTS OF AGE AND STEP DIRECTION ON BEHAVIORAL PERFORMANCES AND CENTER-OF-PRESSURE CHARACTERISTICS OF VOLITIONAL STEPPING IN OLDER AND YOUNG ADULTS

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (03) ◽  
pp. 207-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Hsiu Chu ◽  
Chih-Hsiu Cheng ◽  
Pei-Fang Tang ◽  
Kwan-Hwa Lin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Movement Time ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Behavioral Performance ◽  
Phase Stepping ◽  
Step Velocity

This study investigated center-of-pressure (COP) characteristics during volitional stepping in forward, backward, and sideways directions, along with the behavioral performance measures and COP measures of volitional stepping in these directions, and the relationships between these two types of measures in healthy older and young adults. Fifteen older and 15 young adults performed rapid stepping in the three directions using each leg. Behavioral performance measures included reaction time (RT), movement time (MT), step length, and step velocity in the MT phase. COP measures included the maximum anteroposterior (COPAP) and mediolateral COP displacement (COPML) in the RT phase. Stepping in each direction demonstrated unique COP characteristics. The older adults presented slower RT, MT, step velocity, and smaller COPAP in all three stepping directions (p < 0.05), as well as smaller COPML in the sideways stepping direction (p < 0.017), compared to the young adults. Step velocity correlated with COPAP and/or COPML in all three stepping directions for both groups (r = 0.42–0.77, p < 0.05), suggesting that stepping performances during the movement execution phase correlated with COP control during the postural preparation phase. Results suggest that stepping training prescribed to older adults to improve their balance control may include multi-directional stepping.

Effects of Eight Methods and Five Steps of Tai Chi Practice on Balance Control Among Older Adults

Motor Control ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 616-630
Author(s):  
Xiu Hu ◽  
Shaojun Lyu ◽  
Min Mao ◽  
Jianwei Zhang ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Sensitivity Threshold ◽  
Tactile Sensitivity ◽  
Mean Square ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Significant Group

The team developed the newly compiled eight methods and five steps of Tai Chi (EMFSTC), which includes introductory routines to Tai Chi characterized by simple structures. This study examined the effectiveness of EMFSTC practice on balance control. A total of 31 participants were randomly assigned to EMFSTC (n = 15, age = 66.4 ± 1.7 years, received 16-week EMFSTC practice) or control (n = 16, age = 66.7 ± 1.8 years, received no practice) groups. Significant group by training interactions were observed. After EMFSTC practice, balance control improved, as indicated by decreased root mean square and mean velocity of center of pressure, proprioception threshold during knee extension, and plantar tactile sensitivity threshold at the arch. EMFSCT can be an effective rehabilitation modality to improve balance control among older adults.

scholarly journals ONE-LEGGED STANCE BALANCE OF OLDER ADULTS WITH AND WITHOUT FALLS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S470-S470
Author(s):  
Edgar R Vieira ◽  
Márcio Oliveira ◽  
Andre Gil ◽  
Karen Fernandes ◽  
Denilson Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Test Duration ◽  
Mobility Impairments ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Falls In Older Adults ◽  
Elliptical Area ◽  
Age Range

Abstract Balance impairment is a common problem among older adults. Poor balance in older adults is often associated with mobility impairments, activity limitations and fear of falling in older adults. Thus, balance assessment is useful for early detection of postural control deficits to prevent mobility impairments and falls in older adults. The aim of this study was to assess if balance measures based in center of pressure (COP) parameters during one-legged stance could differentiate between older adults with and without falls in the past 12 months. One-hundred and seventy older adults (50 fallers and 120 non-fallers, age range: 63-72 years) performed three 30s one-legged stance trials with eyes open on a force platform with 30s of rest between each trial. The following variables were evaluated: COP 95% elliptical area, COP velocity in the anterior-posterior and medio-lateral directions, and test duration (how long the participant was able to stay in one-legged stance, up to 30s). Fallers had poorer balance than non-fallers (P ≤0.004). The COP parameters presented an area under the curve between 0.65-0.72, with sensitivity varying from 66 to 78% and specificity from 54 to 68%. There were no significant differences between fallers and non-fallers on test duration (17 vs. 18s, respectively). The findings showed that the fallers had similar duration time, but poorer balance than the non-fallers during one-legged stance. The COP parameters were able to differentiate the balance between fallers and non-fallers with acceptable area under curve, sensitivity and specificity.

Analysis of gait variability during a 6-min walk test in older adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. S14
Author(s):  
E. Grimpampi ◽  
S. Oesen ◽  
B. Halper ◽  
M. Hofmann ◽  
B. Wessner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gait Variability ◽  
Walk Test

scholarly journals The effect of age on postural and cognitive task performance while using vibrotactile feedback

2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (7) ◽  
pp. 2127-2136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Cheng Lin ◽  
Susan L. Whitney ◽  
Patrick J. Loughlin ◽  
Joseph M. Furman ◽  
Mark S. Redfern ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Vibrotactile Feedback ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Trunk Tilt ◽  
Effect Of Age

Vibrotactile feedback (VTF) has been shown to improve balance performance in healthy people and people with vestibular disorders in a single-task experimental condition. It is unclear how age-related changes in balance affect the ability to use VTF and if there are different attentional requirements for old and young adults when using VTF. Twenty younger and 20 older subjects participated in this two-visit study to examine the effect of age, VTF, sensory condition, cognitive task, duration of time, and visit on postural and cognitive performance. Postural performance outcome measures included root mean square of center of pressure (COP) and trunk tilt, and cognitive performance was assessed using the reaction time (RT) from an auditory choice RT task. The results showed that compared with younger adults, older adults had an increase in COP in fixed platform conditions when using VTF, although they were able to reduce COP during sway-referenced platform conditions. Older adults also did not benefit fully from using VTF in their first session. The RTs for the secondary cognitive tasks increased significantly while using the VTF in both younger and older adults. Older adults had a larger increase compared with younger adults, suggesting that greater attentional demands were required in older adults when using VTF information. Future training protocols for VTF should take into consideration the effect of aging.

Postural sway with earth-fixed and body-referenced finger contact in young and older adults

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-109
Author(s):  
Reginald L. Reginella ◽  
Mark S. Redfern ◽  
Joseph M. Furman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Body Sway ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Proprioceptive Information ◽  
Postural Control System ◽  
Fixed Reference ◽  
Older Subjects

Sensory information from lightly touching a reference with the hand is known to influence postural sway in young adults. The primary aim of this study was to compare the influence of finger contact (FC) with an earth-fixed reference to the influence of FC with a body-fixed reference. A second goal of this study was to determine if FC is used differently by older adults compared to younger adults. Using a force plate, center of pressure at the feet was recorded from blindfolded young and older subjects during several conditions. Subjects either did or did not lightly touch a force-sensitive plate that was either earth-fixed or moved forward and backward in synchrony with body sway (that is, sway-referenced). In addition, support surface conditions were also varied, including a fixed floor and a sway-referenced floor using an EquitestTM. Results showed that the type of FC, floor condition, and age each had an effect on postural sway. Touching an earth-fixed plate decreased postural sway as compared to no touching, while touching a sway-referenced plate incresased sway. This influence of FC was enhanced when the floor was sway-referenced. Although older subjects swayed more than young subjects overall, no age-FC interactions occurred, indicating that FC was not utilized differently between the age groups. This study suggests that FC cannot be disregarded as erroneous, especially when proprioceptive information from the legs is distorted. Further, FC is integrated with other sensory information by the postural control system similarly in young and older persons.

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