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.

Standing Versus Stepping—Exploring the Relationships Between Postural Steadiness and Dynamic Reactive Balance Control

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 488-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle R. Tanel ◽  
Tyler B. Weaver ◽  
Andrew C. Laing
Keyword(s):  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Movement Time ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Reactive Control ◽  
Phase Dynamics ◽  
Potential Association ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Postural Steadiness

While the literature has characterized balance control during quasi-static and/or dynamic tasks, comparatively few studies have examined relationships across paradigms. This study investigated whether quiet-stance postural steadiness metrics were associated with reactive control parameters (during both stepping and restabilization phases) following a lean-and-release perturbation. A total of 40 older adults participated. Postural steadiness (center of the pressure range, root mean square, velocity, and frequency) was evaluated in “feet together” and “tandem stance” positions. During the reactive control trials, the step length, step width, movement time, and reaction time were measured, in addition to the postural steadiness variables measured during the restabilization phase following the stepping response. Out of 64 comparisons, only 10 moderate correlations were observed between postural steadiness and reactive spatio-temporal stepping parameters (P ≤ .05, r = −.312 to −.534). However, postural steadiness metrics were associated with the center of pressure velocity and frequency during the restabilization phase of the reactive control trials (P ≤ .02, r = .383 to .775 for velocity and P ≤ .01, r = .386 to .550 for frequency). Although some elements of quasi-static center of pressure control demonstrated moderate associations with dynamic stepping responses, relationships were stronger for restabilization phase dynamics after foot-contact. Future work should examine the potential association between restabilization phase control and older adult fall-risk.

scholarly journals Perturbation-based balance assessment: Examining reactive balance control in older adults with mild cognitive impairments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakshmi N Kannan ◽  
Tanvi S Bhatt
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Step Initiation ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Reactive Balance

Abstract Background Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (OAwMCI) present subtle balance and gait deficits along with subjective memory decline. Although these presentations might not affect activities of daily living (ADLs), they attribute to a two-folded increase in falls. While changes occurring in volitional balance control during ADLs have been extensively examined among OAwMCI, reactive balance control, required to recover from external perturbations, has received little attention. Therefore, this study examined reactive balance control in OAwMCI compared to their healthy counterparts. Methods Fifteen older adults with mild cognitive impairment (OAwMCI), fifteen cognitively intact older adults (CIOA) (>55 years), and fifteen young adults (18–30 years) were exposed to stance perturbations at three different intensities. Behavioral outcomes postural COM state stability, step length, step initiation, and step execution were computed. Results Postural COM state stability was the lowest in OAwMCI compared to CIOA and young adults, and it deteriorated at higher perturbation intensities (P < 0.001). Step length was the lowest among OAwMCI and was significantly different from young adults (P < 0.001) but not from CIOA. Unlike OAwMCI, CIOA and young adults increased their step length at higher perturbation intensities (P < 0.001). OAwMCI showed longer recovery step initiation times and shorter execution times compared to CIOA and young adults at higher perturbation intensities (P < 0.001). Conclusion OAwMCI exhibit exacerbated reactive instability and are unable to modulate their responses as the threat to balance control altered. Thus, they are at a significantly higher risk of falls than their healthy counterparts.

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.

Effects of Self-Selected Step Length and Trunk Position on Joint Kinetics in Highly Physically Fit Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 156-162
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Krupenevich ◽  
Ross H. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Joint Kinetics ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Trunk Posture ◽  
Trunk Position

The causes of age-related differences in lower-extremity joint moments and powers are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of highly physically active older adults walking with (1) a step length similar to young adults and (2) an upright trunk posture, on hip and ankle joint kinetics. The authors hypothesized that, compared with their self-selected walking mechanics, older adults would exhibit decreased hip kinetics and increased ankle kinetics when prescribed a young adult step length, and would exhibit decreased hip extension moments when maintaining an upright trunk posture during walking. A total of 12 active older adults (67 [5] y) and 13 active young adults (21 [3] y) walked at 1.3 m/s. The older adults also walked at 1.3 m/s with step lengths prescribed from height-matched young adults and, in a separate condition, walked with an upright trunk. The older adults did not display larger ankle kinetics or smaller hip kinetics in either condition compared to walking with a self-selected step length. These findings indicate that step length and trunk position do not primarily contribute to age-related differences in kinetics in highly active older adults and should serve as a starting point for investigating alternative explanations.

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&lt;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.

Balance performance when responding to visual stimuli in patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 267-274
Author(s):  
Sang-I Lin ◽  
Yi-Ju Tsai ◽  
Pei-Yun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Positional Vertigo ◽  
Vestibular Information ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

BACKGROUND: Patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) often report a sensation of disequilibrium before treatment with the canalith repositioning maneuvers. Apart from vestibular information, visual input also contributes to balance control. How visual stimuli influence balance control in BPPV patients is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of visual stimuli on balance performance in BPPV patients. METHODS: Three groups of participants, patients with BPPV, and healthy young and older adults, were instructed to stand under three conditions: 1) eyes open (EO); 2) while watching a static picture via a video display; and 3) while watching a rotating visual scene. Antero-posterior (AP), lateral (ML), and total sway path during standing were analyzed. RESULTS: In all conditions, patients with BPPV showed significantly larger AP, ML and total sway path than young, whereas older adults only showed significantly larger AP and total sway path than young adults. During the visual stimuli, all participants exhibited significantly increased AP and total sway while watching a static image and a moving scene as compared with the EO condition. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BPPV have similar balance control to older adults, but poorer balance control than young adults. The reduced lack of standing balance control in the coronal plane of patients with BPPV, might affect balance strategy after external perturbations.

scholarly journals Biomechanical Mechanisms of Improved Balance Recovery to Repeated Backward Slips Simulated by Treadmill Belt Accelerations in Young and Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Héloïse Debelle ◽  
Constantinos N. Maganaris ◽  
Thomas D. O'Brien
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Knee Extensor ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Joint Moments ◽  
Balance Recovery ◽  
Initial Strategy ◽  
Prevention Interventions ◽  
Gait Perturbations

Aim: Exposure to repeated gait perturbations improves the balance of older adults (OAs) and decreases their risks of falling, but little is known about the underpinning mechanical adjustments. We aimed to quantify the changing temporo-spatial and kinetic characteristics of balance recovery following repeated backward slips to better understand the mechanical adjustments responsible for improved balance.Methods: We exposed 17 young adults (YAs) (25.2 ± 3.7 years) and 17 OAs (62.4 ± 6.6 years) to 10 backward slips simulated on an instrumented treadmill by unilateral backward belt accelerations. We measured the balance of the participants (margin of stability: MoS), balance recovery (nsteps: number of steps necessary to return to a steady gait for at least three consecutive steps), temporo-spatial (step length), and kinetics [ground reaction force (GRF) angle, lower limb joint moments] for 15 steps following each slip. The results were compared with baseline.Results: Participants in both groups improved their MoS and nsteps with repeated exposure to the slips, but no significant effect of age was detected. During the perturbed step, the GRF vector was directed more posteriorly during mid-stance and more anteriorly during push-off than baseline, which resulted in a longer step. These adjustments were maintained from the first (Slip01) to the last (Slip10) slip, and by Slip10 were correlated with better balance (MoS) on the second recovery step. During the first recovery step following Slip01, participants developed lower plantarflexor and larger knee extensor moments whilst taking a shorter step, these adjustments were correlated with poorer balance and were not maintained with repeated slips. Joint moments and step length of the first recovery step returned to normal levels by Slip10.Conclusion: Young adults and OAs improved their balance with repeated slips. The adjustments that were positively correlated with balance (changes in step length, GRF angle) were maintained whilst those that were not (changes in joint moments) were discarded. All the responses observed in Slip10 were observed in Slip01. The observed balance improvements were achieved by refining the initial strategy rather than by developing a new one. The underlying mechanics were correlated with step length of the first recovery steps, which was associated with balance and should be monitored in fall prevention interventions.

Effects of Age and Speed on Peak Lower Extremity Joint Torques During Gait When Controlling Speed and Step Length

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis E. Anderson ◽  
Michael L. Madigan
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Joint Torques ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Stable Gait

Significant age differences in self-selected gait kinetics have been reported in the literature. These include reduced torque and power at the ankle and increased work at the hip in older adults as compared to young adults [1, 2]. The reasons for these differences are complex and not fully understood. It is possible older adults adapt their gait to a safer, more stable gait pattern [3]. However, differences in gait may also be due to age-related neuromuscular changes such as reduced muscle strength in older adults [4].

scholarly journals Age-Related Differences in Stepping Response When Stepping onto a Known Soft Surface under Dual Task Conditions

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Nobuko Harada ◽  
Shuichi Okada ◽  
Shinya Negoro
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Initiation Phase ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Step Velocity ◽  
Soft Surface ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Task Conditions ◽  
Stepping Response

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether age-related differences in stepping response influence postural control when stepping onto a known soft surface under dual task conditions. Nine young and eleven older female adults participated. First, they stepped on a flat surface while grasping an empty cup (single task), and then they repeated the task while grasping a cup filled with water (dual task). For the second experiment, they stepped on a soft surface placed in front of them while performing the above tasks. The main result was that %DIP (initiation phase as a percentage of the total stepping task time) was significantly higher for older than for young adults during the dual task on the soft surface. In conclusion, caution due to previous experience may increase attentional demand during dual tasks and lengthen the time required for central nervous processing in order to avoid losing postural stability in older adults, resulting in reductions in step velocity and step length compared to those in young adults.

IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FOREFOOT WEDGES ON STANDING STABILITY IN YOUNG ADULTS

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (01) ◽  
pp. 1850014
Author(s):  
Chu-Fen Chang ◽  
Hui-Ji Fan ◽  
Hung-Bin Chen ◽  
Houu-Wooi Lim ◽  
Hsiao-Yuan Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Postural Stability ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Random Sequence ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Eyes Closed ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Arch Support ◽  
Forward Falls

The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of wearing the functional insoles with different slopes of forefoot wedges on postural stability in young adults during quiet stance. In this study, the functional insole was composed of a forefoot wedge and a medial arch support. Twelve healthy young adults (six males and six females) participated. Each subject wore sneakers with and without functional insole and stood as still as possible on a force plate with feet together, arms by side and head facing ahead for 60[Formula: see text]s, while eyes open and eyes closed, respectively. The functional insole was applied in the random sequence of no insole, wearing insole with a medial arch and a four-degree forefoot wedge, as well as wearing insole with a medial arch and an eight-degree forefoot wedge. The sway areas as well as the maximal excursions of the center of pressure (COP) in anterior–posterior (AP) and medial–lateral (ML) directions were used to evaluate the static postural stability. During stance with feet together and eyes closed, the sway area and maximal excursion of the COP in the AP direction were significantly decreased when wearing an eight-degree forefoot wedge functional insole. Since the reduced displacements of the COP indicated better postural control, it was suggested that the functional insole with an eight-degree forefoot wedge and a medial arch support might be beneficial to improve the postural stability in patients with impaired balance control, especially for whom having high risk of forward falls.

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