scholarly journals Arch Height Mediation of Obesity-Related Walking in Adults: Contributors to Physical Activity Limitations

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone V. Gill ◽  
Cara L. Lewis ◽  
Jeremy M. DeSilva

Walking and foot arch structure have risk-increasing effects that contribute to decreased physical activity in adults with overweight and obese body mass index (BMI) scores. However, it is unknown whether both excessive weight and arch height influence walking compared to the effects of excessive weight or arch height alone. The purpose of this study was to investigate if arch height mediates obesity-related walking characteristics among adults with different BMI classifications. Spatiotemporal walking kinematics and dynamic plantar pressure were collected as adults with normal (n=30), overweight (n=34), and obese (n=25) BMI scores walked at their preferred speed. Digital footprints created with plantar pressure data were used to calculate a measure of arch height, the Chippaux-Smirak Index (CSI). The results showed that obese adults had lower arches than normal weight adults (P<0.05). Arch height was related to velocity, double limb support time, stance time, step length, and foot rotation (all Ps < 0.05). Overweight participants with lower arches had lower velocities and higher double limb support times (all Ps < 0.05). The results have implications for aiding an increase in physical activity for overweight adults via intervening in adults’ arch height.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260398
Author(s):  
Daekyoo Kim ◽  
Cara L. Lewis ◽  
Simone V. Gill

Foot arch structure contributes to lower-limb joint mechanics and gait in adults with obesity. However, it is not well-known if excessive weight and arch height together affect gait mechanics compared to the effects of excessive weight and arch height alone. The purpose of this study was to determine the influences of arch height and obesity on gait mechanics in adults. In this study, 1) dynamic plantar pressure, 2) spatiotemporal gait parameters, 3) foot progression angle, and 4) ankle and knee joint angles and moments were collected in adults with normal weight with normal arch heights (n = 11), normal weight with lower arch heights (n = 10), obesity with normal arch heights (n = 8), and obesity with lower arch heights (n = 18) as they walked at their preferred speed and at a pedestrian standard walking speed, 1.25 m/s. Digital foot pressure data were used to compute a measure of arch height, the Chippaux-Smirak Index (CSI). Our results revealed that BMI and arch height were each associated with particular measures of ankle and knee joint mechanics during walking in healthy young adults: (i) a higher BMI with greater peak internal ankle plantar-flexion moment and (ii) a lower arch height with greater peak internal ankle eversion and abduction moments and peak internal knee abduction moment (i.e., external knee adduction moment). Our results have implications for understanding the role of arch height in reducing musculoskeletal injury risks, improving gait, and increasing physical activity for people living with obesity.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1813-1822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Barichella ◽  
Alexis E Malavazos ◽  
Giuseppe Fatati ◽  
Emanuele Cereda

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the awareness and knowledge about weight status and its management.DesignA 1 d cross-sectional survey. Basic anthropometric assessments (weight, height, BMI and waist circumference) and a self-administered questionnaire were considered.SettingNineteen Clinical Nutrition or Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders Units or Dietetics Services in the Italian region of Lombardy.SubjectsAll adults attending the ‘Obesity Day’ initiative.ResultsA total of 914 participants (605 female and 309 male) were recruited. Although most of the participants (83·5 %) considered obesity to be a disease, 38·5 % were likely to misperceive their weight status. In particular, 38·8 % of normal-weight adults believed themselves to be overweight, whereas 71·1 % and 37·5 % of classes I and II/III obese adults classified themselves as being overweight and mildly obese, respectively. However, most of the overweight (90·2 %), mildly (96·8 %) and moderately/severely obese adults (99·1 %) recognized the need to lose weight. In all, 37·8 % of the sample underestimated the role of physical activity in weight management. Interestingly, only 17·2 % of dieters (previous or current) declared being advised by their doctor to lose weight. Multivariate models revealed that higher age, low education and higher BMI were important determinants of poor weight control and management. In addition, previous dieting appeared not to provide better knowledge, whereas the role of physical activity was recognized mainly by those practising it.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that in Italy knowledge about weight management should be improved not only in the general population but also among health-care professionals. To confirm this finding, there is now the rationale for a nationally representative survey. New educational programmes can be designed on the basis of the information collected.


Motor Control ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 588-604
Author(s):  
Jongil Lim ◽  
Jiyeon Kim ◽  
Kyoungho Seo ◽  
Richard E.A. van Emmerik ◽  
Sukho Lee

The aim of this study was to examine how usage of mobile devices while simultaneously walking affects walking characteristics and texting performance of normal weight (NW) and obese (OB) individuals. Thirty-two OB (body mass index [BMI] = 34.4) and NW (BMI = 22.7) adults performed two 60-s walking trials at three-step frequencies along a rectangular walkway in two conditions (No Texting and Texting). Dual-task cost as well as unadjusted spatial and temporal gait characteristics were measured. Dual-task costs for the gait parameters as well as texting performance were not different between the groups, except for the lateral step variability showing a larger variability at the preferred frequency in OB individuals. For the unadjusted variables, OB exhibited longer double support, longer stance time, and lower turn velocity compared with NW. Overall, the results highlight a similar dual-task cost for the OB individuals compared with the NW individuals, in spite of underlying differences in gait mechanics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S875-S875
Author(s):  
Elisa F Ogawa ◽  
Rebekah Harris ◽  
Joseph DeGutis ◽  
Rachel Ward ◽  
Jennifer Brach ◽  
...  

Abstract Task-specific power training (InVEST) targets leg power and mobility skills that are beneficial for treating slow gait speed for older adults. This study investigated the efficacy of a short-term InVEST training on leg power, mobility performance, and gait characteristics and further examine whether the addition of cognitive training would augment the impact on the outcomes. Mobility limited community-dwelling older Veterans age ≥65 years were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to either InVEST training (n=10) or InVEST+cognitive training (n=11). Training occurred 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Sessions were either 70 minutes (InVest+cognitive training) or 40 minutes (InVEST) in duration. Leg power, mobility performance (Short Physical Performance Battery), and gait characteristics (gait speed, stance time, step width, swing time, step length and their variabilities under single-task, simple and complex dual-task walking conditions) were evaluated. Twenty-one men with mean age 76±7 years completed the study and 86% were of white race. Among all participants, clinically relevant and statistically significant improvements in leg power, mobility performance, and gait characteristics (gait speed, step length, stance time under all three gait conditions) were observed. There were no statistically significant or clinically relevant group differences among any of the outcomes based on cognitive training status. Short-term InVEST training led to clinically meaningful improvements in leg power, mobility performance, and gait characteristics. These findings add to the body of evidence supporting the benefits of InVEST training on mobility and do not support the contention that mixed modes of training (cognitive and physical) may augment mobility outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 426
Author(s):  
Karthikeyan Selvaganapathy ◽  
Roshini Rajappan ◽  
Geeta Soohinda ◽  
Hu Mey Mai

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110284
Author(s):  
João Paulo de Aguiar Greca ◽  
Thomas Korff ◽  
Jennifer Ryan

Our aim in this study was to investigate the relationships between physical activity (PA), pain, and injury among children. Secondarily, we examined whether these relationships differed between children with normal versus excessive weight or obesity. This was a cross-sectional study of 102 children (57 girls) aged 8–12 years old. We assessed the prevalence of moderate and vigorous PA using accelerometry over a seven-day period. We examined the associations between moderate PA, vigorous PA, pain presence, and injury presence using generalized estimating equations with a logit link and binomial distribution. We adjusted the obtained models for potential confounders and explored the moderating effect of weight status. We found no association between moderate PA and pain, but time spent in vigorous PA was associated with pain. Neither moderate or vigorous PA were associated with injury, and there was no moderating effect of weight status in these relationships. In summary, we found that objectively measured vigorous PA is associated with pain among 8–12 year old children. While these results should be replicated in longitudinal studies, they suggest that an association between vigorous PA and pain should be considered when developing PA interventions for children.


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