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The effect of prolonged level and uphill walking on the postural control of older adults
- Source :
- Journal of Biomechanics. 69:19-25
- Publication Year :
- 2018
- Publisher :
- Elsevier BV, 2018.
-
Abstract
- Prolonged walking could alter postural control leading to an increased risk of falls in older adults. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of level and uphill prolonged walking on the postural control of older adults. Sixteen participants (64 ± 5 years) attended 3 visits. Postural control was assessed during quiet standing and the limits of stability immediately pre, post and post 15 min rest a period of 30 min walking on level and uphill (5.25%) gradients on separate visits. Each 30 min walk was divided into 3 10 min blocks, the limits of stability were measured between each block. Postural sway elliptical area (PRE: 1.38 ± 0.22 cm2, POST: 2.35 ± 0.50 cm2, p = .01), medio-lateral (PRE: 1.33 ± 0.03, POST: 1.40 ± 0.03, p = .01) and anterio-posterior detrended fluctuation analysis alpha exponent (PRE: 1.43 ± 0.02, POST: 1.46 ± 0.02, p = .04) increased following walking. Medio-lateral alpha exponent decreased between post and post 15 min’ rest (POST: 1.40 ± 0.03, POST15: 1.36 ± 0.03, p = .03). Forward limits of stability decreased between the second walking interval and post 15 min’ rest (Interval 2: 28.1 ± 1.6%, POST15: 25.6 ± 1.6%, p = .01) and left limits of stability increased from pre-post 15 min’ rest (PRE: 27.7 ± 1.2%, POST15: 29.4 ± 1.1%, p = .01). The neuromuscular alterations caused by prolonged walking decreased the anti-persistence of postural sway and altered the limits of stability in older adults. However, 15 min’ rest was insufficient to return postural control to pre-exercise levels.
- Subjects :
- Male
Risk
medicine.medical_specialty
Time Factors
Injury control
Accident prevention
Biomedical Engineering
Biophysics
Poison control
Falls in older adults
Walking
Limits of stability
postural control
Postural control
walking
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Physical medicine and rehabilitation
medicine
Humans
Attention
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Postural Balance
older adults
Aged
detrended fluctuation analysis
business.industry
Rehabilitation
030229 sport sciences
Middle Aged
Increased risk
Accidental Falls
Female
business
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Quiet standing
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 00219290
- Volume :
- 69
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Biomechanics
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....fecab938e147d9d7817268d91225d4a0