Physical Exercise Goals of the Elderly through the Analysis of Kinetic and Kinematic Variables of Quick Walking—Results of the Koreans Elderly Using a Motion Analysis System

Abstract

Since the global population is rapidly aging, social interest in the topic is increasing. However, there are not many studies on the elderly who are able to walk on their own, who make up the absolute majority of the total elderly population. Most studies and technological advancements are focused on either the development of assisting devices or on the elderly who use such devices or have a medical history. Therefore, this study analyzed the walks of 31 ordinary individuals of standard physical size and 31 elderly individuals. While there are studies on general gait and walk, there are not many on “maximum walking,” which is associated with a high risk of fall. For this purpose, a motion analysis system and the Ground Reaction Force Plate were used. The results of measuring and analyzing a total of 15 types of kinematic and kinetic variables as targets showed that the elderly experienced a reduced hike in the walking speed by approximately 5% during maximum walking when compared with normal walking. The variables related to balance were measured to be as high as 12%. Considering this, exercise of the elderly should be more focused on reinforcing variables related to balance, and in particular, emphasis should be placed on maintaining balance even when the walking speed increases.

Biomechanics of Gait in the Elderly: A Literature Review

“…This study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the biomechanics underlying the gait of elderly individuals and its changes related to aging and the risks caused by these changes, including falling while walking. The results of our studies showed that changes would occur in both kinetics (19-23, 29, 30) and walking kinematics (19,21,22,24,(28)(29)(30) in old age.…”

“…From the total of 12 articles that were included in this study, five articles were related to the investigations of both kinematics and kinetics of walking in the elderly (19,21,22,29,30), five articles of kinematic investigations (24)(25)(26)(27)(28), and two articles also included a kinetic study of the walking of the elderly (20,23), three studies on shoes and types of surfaces (20,24,29), two articles on electromyographic studies on lower limbs while walking (23,28), three articles on maintaining postural stability and balance and falling during elderly walking (22,27,30), one article about speed and balance (19), one article about the impact on walking parameters in the elderly (26), and two articles about the characteristics of lower limb joints during walking (21,25).…”

“…Choosing shoes that don't cover the foot completely or don't fasten enough increases the risk of falling in the elderly by increasing the angle changes of the knee and ankle joints while walking (24). If the walking conditions and levels of the elderly are not safe, they will lead to an increase in the risk of falling by making changes in walking parameters and disrupting balance, and affecting postural stability (19). Elderly people are more at risk of falling outdoors (33) due to more exposure to high-risk items such as choosing inappropriate shoes, uneven surfaces, obstacles, and more possibility of balance disturbance.…”

“…Roh (19) investigated the effect of walking speed on the ground reaction forces and also on balance during walking of the elderly and observed that as a result of increasing the walking speed, the elderly face a decrease in balance. During normal walking, compared to the maximum walking speed, the increase in walking speed is accompanied by an increase in physical movements, and as a result, maintaining balance is difficult.…”

An optimal sensor placement method for physical function assessment in living space

“…However, in recent years, studies have been conducted on systems that provide diagnoses in detail and easily by acquiring joint positions and ground reaction forces using sensors. In previous studies, physical function evaluation was conducted by calculating indices such as walking speed and body inclination from gait measurements under experimental conditions using optical and depth sensors [4] [5]. However, contact-type sensors may put a burden on the person during measurement, and when measuring at an experimental site, the person may move differently than usual due to nervousness [6].…”