Effect of Aging on the Trunk and Lower Limb Kinematics during Gait on a Compliant Surface in Healthy Individuals

Abstract

Older adults have a smaller effective living space and reduced physical activity. Although walking ability in various living spaces is necessary to maintain a healthy life and a high level of physical activity, it is unclear how older adults adapt to compliant surfaces when walking. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in the trunk and lower limb kinematics while walking on a level versus compliant surface, and the effect of aging on these kinematic changes. Twenty-two healthy individuals (aged from 20–80 years) were asked to walk along a 7-m walkway at a comfortable speed on a level and compliant surface. Gait kinematics were measured using a three-dimensional camera-based motion analysis system. We found that knee and hip flexion and ankle plantarflexion angles in the early stance phase and thoracic flexion angle throughout the gait cycle were significantly increased when walking on a compliant surface versus a level surface. The change in the thoracic flexion angle, ankle plantarflexion angle, and cadence between level and compliant surfaces was significantly correlated with age. Therefore, older adults use increased thoracic flexion and ankle plantarflexion angles along with a higher cadence to navigate compliant surfaces.

Effects of Positive and Negative Self-Talk on Balance and Postural Sway in College Students

“…Single-leg balance performance was the desired outcome of the present study. It was interesting as this represents a vital phase in the gait cycle (i.e., single-support) where individuals are at high risk for stability loss (Honda et al, 2023;Riva et al, 2013). Several studies have indicated that the single-support phase of the gait cycle, particularly among older adults in the seventh and eighth decade, requires more intervention.…”

“…Several studies have indicated that the single-support phase of the gait cycle, particularly among older adults in the seventh and eighth decade, requires more intervention. As mentioned, this is mainly due to significant decreases in single-support phase duration, leading to gait modifications that can increase the risk for balance loss (Honda et al, 2023;Murray et al, 1969). Although only college-aged participants were involved in the present study, the experimental design must assess the efficacy and feasibility of utilizing positive and negative self-talk to enhance balance performance in at-risk populations.…”

“…Although only college-aged participants were involved in the present study, the experimental design must assess the efficacy and feasibility of utilizing positive and negative self-talk to enhance balance performance in at-risk populations. For example, approximately 80% of older participants show a deficit in balance control during the single-support phase of locomotion, especially in the seventh and eighth decade (Honda et al, 2023;Murray et al, 1969). The limited studies have looked specifically at the single-leg balance task while testing self-talk strategies (Beneka et al, 2013), and only one other has examined the effects of self-talk on balance performance in healthy college-aged adults (Araki et al, 2006), which also focused on bipedal stance.…”

“…These studies further emphasize the need to examine the potential effects of self-talk strategies for balance and stability in other populations. One specific task that warrants further investigation is the single-leg balance task (Araki et al, 2006), which closely relates to the single-support phase of gait (Honda et al, 2023;Jung et al, 2014). As age-related changes become more apparent, some individuals may experience decreases in single-leg balance task duration from 22 to 14 seconds, which may translate to decreased single leg-support during walking, leading to shuffled gait and diminished gait speed (Blodgett et al, 2022;Honda et al, 2023;Murray et al, 1969;Springer et al, 2007).…”

“…One specific task that warrants further investigation is the single-leg balance task (Araki et al, 2006), which closely relates to the single-support phase of gait (Honda et al, 2023;Jung et al, 2014). As age-related changes become more apparent, some individuals may experience decreases in single-leg balance task duration from 22 to 14 seconds, which may translate to decreased single leg-support during walking, leading to shuffled gait and diminished gait speed (Blodgett et al, 2022;Honda et al, 2023;Murray et al, 1969;Springer et al, 2007). These characteristics are prevalent in populations displaying gait deficits, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and older adults (Jerome et al, 2015;Torchio et al, 2022).…”