Spatiotemporal gait and centre of mass variables while performing different smartphone tasks and confronting obstacle among young adults

Exposure to unpredictable trips and slips while walking can improve balance recovery responses with minimum predictive gait alterations

10.1101/333989 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Yoshiro Okubo ◽

Matthew A Brodie ◽

Daina L Sturnieks ◽

Cameron Hicks ◽

Hilary Carter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Everyday Life ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Random Perturbation ◽

Step Length ◽

Centre Of Mass ◽

Balance Recovery ◽

Margin Of Stability ◽

Slowing Down ◽

Random Location

AbstractINTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to determine if repeated exposure to unpredictable trips and slips while walking can improve balance recovery responses when predictive gait alterations (e.g. slowing down) are minimised.METHODSTen young adults walked on a 10-m walkway that induced slips and trips in fixed and random locations. Participants were exposed to a total of 12 slips, 12 trips and 6 non-perturbed walks in three conditions: 1) right leg fixed location, 2) left leg fixed location and 3) random leg and location. Kinematics during non-perturbed walks and previous and recovery steps were analysed.RESULTSThroughout the three conditions, participants walked with similar gait speed, step length and cadence(p>0.05). Participants’ extrapolated centre of mass (XCoM) was anteriorly shifted immediately before slips at the fixed location (p<0.01), but this predictive gait alteration did not transfer to random perturbation locations. Improved balance recovery from trips in the random location was indicated by increased margin of stability and step length during recovery steps (p<0.05). Changes in balance recovery from slips in the random location was shown by reduced backward XCoM displacement and reduced slip speed during recovery steps (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONSEven in the absence of most predictive gait alterations, balance recovery responses to trips and slips were improved through exposure to repeated unpredictable perturbations. A common predictive gait alteration to lean forward immediately before a slip was not useful when the perturbation location was unpredictable. Training balance recovery with unpredictable perturbations may be beneficial to fall avoidance in everyday life.

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Continuum of Care Following Sports-Related Concussion

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2020_ajslp-19-00131 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 1389-1403

Author(s):

Jessica Brown ◽

Kelly Knollman-Porter

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Life Span ◽

Sports Injuries ◽

Continuum Of Care ◽

Medical Professional ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Youth Athletes ◽

Speech Language Pathologist ◽

History Of ◽

Injury Reporting

Purpose Although guidelines have changed regarding federally mandated concussion practices since their inception, little is known regarding the implementation of such guidelines and the resultant continuum of care for youth athletes participating in recreational or organized sports who incur concussions. Furthermore, data regarding the role of speech-language pathologists in the historic postconcussion care are lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the experiences of young adults with history of sports-related concussion as it related to injury reporting and received follow-up care. Method Participants included 13 young adults with history of at least one sports-related concussion across their life span. We implemented a mixed-methods design to collect both quantitative and qualitative information through structured interviews. Participants reported experiencing 42 concussions across the life span—26 subsequent to sports injuries. Results Twenty-three concussions were reported to a parent or medical professional, 14 resulted in a formal diagnosis, and participants received initial medical care for only 10 of the incidents and treatment or services on only two occasions. Participants reported concussions to an athletic trainer least frequently and to parents most frequently. Participants commented that previous experience with concussion reduced the need for seeking treatment or that they were unaware treatments or supports existed postconcussion. Only one concussion incident resulted in the care from a speech-language pathologist. Conclusion The results of the study reported herein shed light on the fidelity of sports-related concussion care management across time. Subsequently, we suggest guidelines related to continuum of care from injury to individualized therapy.

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