Effects of age-related changes in trunk and lower limb range of motion on gait

Abstract

Background The ability to walk is crucial for maintaining independence and a high quality of life among older adults. Although gait characteristics have been extensively studied in older adults, most studies have investigated muscle activity in the joints of the trunk or the lower limbs without assessing their interactions. Thus, the causes of altered trunk and lower limb movement patterns in older adults remain to explore. Therefore, this study compared the joint kinematic parameters of both trunk and lower limbs between young and older adults to identify kinematic factors associated with changes in gait among older adults. Methods In total, 64 older (32 males, aged 68.34 ± 7.38 years; 32 females, aged 67.16 ± 6.66 years) and 64 young (32 males, aged 19.44 ± 0.84 years; 32 females, aged 19.69 ± 0.86 years) healthy adults participated in this study. The range of motion (ROM) of the thorax, pelvis, and trunk in the horizontal plane and of the hip, knee, and ankle joints of the lower limbs in the sagittal plane were measured using a motion capture system with wearable sensors. Two-way analysis of variance assessed differences in ROM by group, sex, and spatio-temporal gait parameters; Pearson correlation analysis assessed the correlation of the trunk and lower limbs. Results Step length, gait speed, and stride length were greater in young adults (p < 0.001) than in older adults, but older women displayed the fastest gait speed (p < 0.05). ROM values for the pelvis, thorax, trunk, knee joint, and ankle joint of young adults were greater (p < 0.05) than those in older adults. However, hip ROM in older adults was significantly greater than that in young adults (p < 0.05). Conclusion With increasing age, ROM of the lower limbs, especially the ankle joint, decreased significantly, resulting in a significant decrease in gait speed. As ROM of the pelvis decreased, stride length decreased significantly in older adults, who compensate through thoracic rotation. Thus, older adults should enhance muscle strength and increase ROM to improve gait patterns.

Latihan Range of Motion (ROM) Aktif Meningkatkan Kekuatan Otot Ekstremitas Bawah dan Rentang Gerak Sendi Lansia

“…Latihan ROM yang dilakukan sedini mungkin dan dilakukan dengan benar dan secara terus menerus akan memberikan dampak pada kekuatan otot dan rentang gerak sendi (Faridah et al, 2022;Sustika, 2022). Masyarakat membutuhkan edukasi untuk memahami hal ini, dan memberikan support kepada lansia dirumah untuk melakukan latihan ROM secara teratur (Zhai et al, 2023). Pembeda penelitian ini dibandingkan dengan penelitian terdahulu adalah perbandingan jumlah lansia perempuan dan laki-laki yang tidak sama.…”

Associations of Balance, Strength, and Gait Speed with Cognitive Function in Older Individuals over 60 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Walking involves coordinated functioning of the nervous, sensory, cardiorespiratory, and musculoskeletal systems, which are influenced by age [6]. During aging, gait abnormalities due to poor joint range of motion and decreased muscle strength, among other disorders, become more prevalent [7]. Approximately 10% of older adults aged 60-70 years suffer from gait abnormalities, rising to more than 60% in those over 80 years of age [6].…”

Uneven Walking Momentum Regulation Exhibit Different Strategies based on Age and State of Lookahead

“…The capacity to adjust momentum based on terrain variations is essential for overcoming the challenges presented by uneven surfaces and maintaining stability during locomotion [6]. Although it is demonstrated that young and older adults control their gait di<erently [7], nevertheless, there is limited information about their step-to-step center of mass (COM) velocity modulation over uneven terrains.…”