INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ACTIVITY ON WALKING SPEED AND STEP LENGTH IN OLDER ADULTS 654

1996 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
W. C. Beam ◽  
R. E. Rikli ◽  
C. J. Jones ◽  
S. J. Duncan ◽  
B. Lamar
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Step Length

scholarly journals A Comparison of Treadmill and Overground Walking Effects on Step Cycle Asymmetry in Young and Older Individuals

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanatsu Nagano ◽  
Rezaul K. Begg ◽  
William A. Sparrow ◽  
Simon Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Treadmill Walking ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Overground Walking ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Step Cycle ◽  
Step Velocity

Although lower limb strength becomes asymmetrical with age, past studies of aging effects on gait biomechanics have usually analyzed only one limb. This experiment measured how aging and treadmill surface influenced both dominant and nondominant step parameters in older (mean 74.0 y) and young participants (mean 21.9 y). Step-cycle parameters were obtained from 3-dimensional position/time data during preferred-speed walking for 40 trials along a 10 m walkway and for 10 minutes of treadmill walking. Walking speed (young 1.23 m/s, older 1.24 m/s) and step velocity for the two age groups were similar in overground walking but older adults showed significantly slower walking speed (young 1.26 m/s, older 1.05 m/s) and step velocity on the treadmill due to reduced step length and prolonged step time. Older adults had shorter step length than young adults and both groups reduced step length on the treadmill. Step velocity and length of older adults’ dominant limb was asymmetrically larger. Older adults increased the proportion of double support in step time when treadmill walking. This adaptation combined with reduced step velocity and length may preserve balance. The results suggest that bilateral analyses should be employed to accurately describe asymmetric features of gait especially for older adults.

scholarly journals Decrease in walking speed increases hip moment impulse in the frontal plane during the stance phase

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e8110
Author(s):  
Takuma Inai ◽  
Tomoya Takabayashi ◽  
Mutsuaki Edama ◽  
Masayoshi Kubo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Hip Osteoarthritis ◽  
Frontal Plane ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Public Dataset ◽  
The Relationship

Background Increased daily cumulative hip moment in the frontal plane (i.e., the product of hip moment impulse in the frontal plane during the stance phase and mean steps per day) is a risk factor for progression of hip osteoarthritis. Although hip osteoarthritis generally causes a decrease in the walking speed, its effect on hip moment impulse in the frontal plane is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between decrease in walking speed and hip moment impulse in the frontal plane. Methods We used a public dataset of treadmill walking in 17 older adults (mean (SD) age: 63.2 (8.0) years). The subjects walked on the treadmill for 30 s under five conditions: (1) 40% of comfortable non-dimensional speed (CNDS), (2) 55% CNDS, (3) 70% CNDS, (4) 85% CNDS, and (5) 100% CNDS. The hip moment impulse in the frontal plane non-normalized (or normalized) to step length (Nm s/kg [or Nm s/(kg m)]) for each condition was calculated. Furthermore, the relationship between walking speed and hip moment impulse in the frontal plane non-normalized (or normalized) to step length was examined using regression analysis based on a previous study. Results A decrease in non-dimensional speed (i.e., walking speed) significantly increased the non-normalized (or normalized) hip moment impulse in the frontal plane during the stance phase. The relationship between walking speed and non-normalized (or normalized) hip moment impulse in the frontal plane was fitted by a second-order polynomial. Discussion This study revealed that a decrease in walking speed increased the non-normalized (or normalized) hip moment impulse in the frontal plane in healthy older adults. This finding is useful for understanding the relationship between walking speed and hip moment impulse in the frontal plane and suggests that a decrease in walking speed may actually increase the daily cumulative hip moment in the frontal plane of patients with hip osteoarthritis.

scholarly journals Is There a Sex Difference in Accelerometer Counts During Walking in Older Adults?

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 626-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dane R. Van Domelen ◽  
Paolo Caserotti ◽  
Robert J. Brychta ◽  
Tamara B. Harris ◽  
Kushang V. Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Walk Test ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
6 Minute Walk Test ◽  
Minute Walk

Background:Accelerometers have emerged as a useful tool for measuring free-living physical activity in epidemiological studies. Validity of activity estimates depends on the assumption that measurements are equivalent for males and females while performing activities of the same intensity. The primary purpose of this study was to compare accelerometer count values in males and females undergoing a standardized 6-minute walk test.Methods:The study population was older adults (78.6 ± 4.1 years) from the AGES-Reykjavik Study (N = 319). Participants performed a 6-minute walk test at a self-selected fast pace while wearing an ActiGraph GT3X at the hip. Vertical axis counts·s−1 was the primary outcome. Covariates included walking speed, height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, femur length, and step length.Results:On average, males walked 7.2% faster than females (1.31 vs. 1.22 m·s−1, P < .001) and had 32.3% greater vertical axis counts·s−1 (54.6 vs. 39.4 counts·s−1, P < .001). Accounting for walking speed reduced the sex difference to 19.2% and accounting for step length further reduced the difference to 13.4% (P < .001).Conclusion:Vertical axis counts·s−1 were disproportionally greater in males even after adjustment for walking speed. This difference could confound free-living activity estimates.

scholarly journals Is faster always better? The walking speed-dependency of gait variability in bilateral vestibulopathy

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher McCrum ◽  
Florence Lucieer ◽  
Raymond van de Berg ◽  
Paul Willems ◽  
Angélica Pérez Fornos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Variability ◽  
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Bilateral Vestibulopathy ◽  
Walking Speeds

AbstractStudy of balance and gait deficits associated with vestibulopathy is important for improving clinical care and is critical to our understanding of the vestibular contributions to gait and balance control. Previous studies report a speed-dependency of the vestibular contributions to gait, so we examined the walking speed effects on gait variability in healthy young and older adults and in adults with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP). Forty-four people with BVP, 12 healthy young adults and 12 healthy older adults completed walking trials at 0.4m/s to 1.6m/s in 0.2m/s intervals on a dual belt, instrumented treadmill. Using a motion capture system and kinematic data, the means and coefficients of variation for step length, time, width and double support time were calculated. The BVP group also completed a video head impulse test and examinations of ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and dynamic visual acuity. Walking speed significantly affected all assessed gait parameters. Step length variability at slower speeds and step width variability at faster speeds were the most distinguishing parameters between the healthy participants and people with BVP, and within people with BVP with different locomotor capacities. We observed for step width variability, specifically, an apparent persistent importance of vestibular function at increasing speeds. Gait variability was not associated with the clinical vestibular tests. Our results indicate that gait variability at multiple walking speeds has potential as an assessment tool for vestibular interventions.New & Noteworthy:Walking speed significantly but differentially affects gait variability in healthy adults and in adults with bilateral vestibulopathy. Gait variability at different speeds distinguishes between participants with and without bilateral vestibulopathy, but also between more and less able walkers with bilateral vestibulopathy. Specifically, for step width variability, an apparent persistent importance of vestibular function at increasing walking speeds was observed. Gait variability was generally not correlated with clinical tests of vestibular function.

Gait Parameters of Older Adults according to Their Fall History and Functional Capacity While Walking at Different Speeds

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Letícia Pophal da Silva ◽  
Natália Boneti Moreira ◽  
Paulo Barbosa de Freitas ◽  
Gleber Pereira ◽  
André Luiz Felix Rodacki
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Spatiotemporal Parameters ◽  
Walking Speeds

Introduction: It is believed that functional capacity and fall history are factors capable of influencing the gait parameters of older adults. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify whether gait parameters of community-dwelling older adults differ according to their functional capacity and fall history when walking at self-selected walking speed (SSWS) and fast walking speed (FWS) using principal component analysis (PCA). Methods: Two hundred ninety-five participants (82.3% women and 17.7% men) were allocated in four groups according to their fall history and functional capacity: non-fallers with higher functional capacity (NFHFC, n = 94; 69.3 ± 5.5 years), non-fallers with lower functional capacity (NFLFC, n = 114; 72.0 ± 8.1 years), fallers with higher functional capacity (FHFC, n = 29; 70.0 ± 6.0 years), and fallers with lower functional capacity (FLFC, n = 58; 72.5 ± 8.2 years). Fall history, anthropometric data, functional capacity by short physical performance battery and mobility by Timed Up and Go (TUG), and spatiotemporal gait parameters were evaluated. Results: Data analysis indicated that FLFC presented the lowest scores, especially in the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test and TUG. The PCA showed that the first principal component (PC1) explained the most substantial amount of the data variability in both walking speeds (SSWS and FWS), predominantly including temporal parameters. PC2 composed by spatial outcomes (stride and step length and walking speed) showed the highest effect size. PC1 and PC2 were able to differentiate functional status, regardless of fall history. Conclusions: Functional capacity showed great importance when analyzing gait parameters at different walking speeds (SSWS and FWS), regardless of fall history. Older adults with high functional capacity demonstrate better performance during gait. Besides, spatiotemporal parameters are the main factors explaining gait variability, both in SSWS and FWS.

scholarly journals Poor Walking Speed Is Associated With Higher Segment-Specific Arterial Stiffness in Older Adult Japanese Community Dwellers: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noriko Ogawa ◽  
Chika Nanayama Tanaka ◽  
Minenori Ishido ◽  
Tomohiro Nakamura ◽  
Masato Nishiwaki
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Community Dwellers

Walking speed as one index of gait ability is an important component of physical fitness among older adults. Walking speed-arterial stiffness relationships have been studied, but whether poor walking speed is associated with higher segment-specific arterial stiffness in older adults is unclear. We thus aimed to examine the relationship between walking speed and segmental arterial stiffness among older community dwellers. This study was a cross-sectional study of 492 older Japanese community dwellers (age range, 65 to 96 years). Heart-brachial PWV (hbPWV), brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV), heart-ankle PWV (haPWV), and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) were used as arterial stiffness indices. Walking speed, strength, flexibility, and cognitive function were also assessed. The participants were categorized into low (Slow), middle (Middle), and high (Fast) tertiles according to walking speed. The CAVI and baPWV were significantly lower in Fast than in Slow. Significant decreasing trends in CAVI and baPWV and a tendency toward decreasing trend in haPWV were observed from Slow to Fast, whereas hbPWV did not significantly differ among tertiles and no trend was evident. The results remained significant after normalizing CAVI and PWVs for multicollinearity of arterial stiffness indices and major confounding factors, such as age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, cognitive function, and each physical fitness. Therefore, these findings suggest that poor walking speed is associated with higher segment-specific arterial stiffness of the central and lower limbs, but not of upper, in older adult community dwellers.

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

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.

scholarly journals Comparison of Lateral Perturbation-Induced Step Training and Hip Muscle Strengthening Exercise on Balance and Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W Rogers ◽  
Robert A Creath ◽  
Vicki Gray ◽  
Janice Abarro ◽  
Sandy McCombe Waller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Muscle Strengthening ◽  
Hip Muscle ◽  
Hip Abduction ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background This factorial, assessor-blinded, randomized, and controlled study compared the effects of perturbation-induced step training (lateral waist-pulls), hip muscle strengthening, and their combination, on balance performance, muscle strength, and prospective falls among older adults. Methods Community-dwelling older adults were randomized to 4 training groups. Induced step training (IST, n = 25) involved 43 progressive perturbations. Hip abduction strengthening (HST, n = 25) utilized progressive resistance exercises. Combined training (CMB, n = 25) included IST and HST, and the control performed seated flexibility/relaxation exercises (SFR, n = 27). The training involved 36 sessions for a period of 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were the number of recovery steps and first step length, and maximum hip abduction torque. Fall frequency during 12 months after training was determined. Results Overall, the number of recovery steps was reduced by 31% and depended upon the first step type. IST and CMB increased the rate of more stable single lateral steps pre- and post-training than HST and SFR who used more multiple crossover and sequential steps. The improved rate of lateral steps for CMB exceeded the control (CMB/SFR rate ratio 2.68). First step length was unchanged, and HST alone increased hip torque by 25%. Relative to SFR, the fall rate ratios (falls/person/year) [95% confidence interval] were CMB 0.26 [0.07–0.90], IST 0.44 [0.18–1.08], and HST 0.30 (0.10–0.91). Conclusions Balance performance through stepping was best improved by combining perturbation and strength training and not strengthening alone. The interventions reduced future falls by 56%–74% over the control. Lateral balance perturbation training may enhance traditional programs for fall prevention.

Energy Availability And Walking Speed In Older Adults: A Key To Mobility?

2010 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Schrack ◽  
Eleanor M. Simonsick ◽  
Paulo H.M. Chaves ◽  
Luigi Ferrucci
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Energy Availability
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