Sagittal plane momentum control during walking in elderly fallers. 2016

Masahiro Fujimoto, and Li-Shan Chou
College of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan; Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine sagittal plane momentum control during walking with the use of center of mass (COM) velocity and acceleration. METHODS COM control in the antero-posterior direction during walking of healthy young and elderly adults, and elderly fallers (n=15/group) was examined. Using a single-link-plus-foot inverted pendulum model, boundaries for the region of stability were determined based on the COM position at toe-off and its instantaneous velocity or the peak acceleration prior to toe-off (ROSv or ROSa, respectively). RESULTS Although no significant difference in forward COM velocity was detected between healthy young and elderly subjects, the peak forward COM acceleration differed significantly, suggesting age-related differences in momentum control during walking. Elderly fallers demonstrated significantly slower forward COM velocities and accelerations and placed their COM significantly more anterior than healthy young and elderly subjects at toe-off, which resulted in their COM position-velocity combination located within the ROSv. Similar results were obtained in the ROSa, where elderly fallers demonstrated a larger stability margin than healthy young and elderly subjects. CONCLUSIONS Significantly slower peak COM accelerations could be indicative of a poor momentum control ability, which was more pronounced in elderly fallers. Examining COM acceleration, in addition to its velocity, would provide a greater understanding of person's momentum control, which would allow us to better reveal underlying mechanisms of gait imbalance or falls.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008962 Models, Theoretical Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of systems, processes, or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Experimental Model,Experimental Models,Mathematical Model,Model, Experimental,Models (Theoretical),Models, Experimental,Models, Theoretic,Theoretical Study,Mathematical Models,Model (Theoretical),Model, Mathematical,Model, Theoretical,Models, Mathematical,Studies, Theoretical,Study, Theoretical,Theoretical Model,Theoretical Models,Theoretical Studies
D009038 Motion Physical motion, i.e., a change in position of a body or subject as a result of an external force. It is distinguished from MOVEMENT, a process resulting from biological activity. Motions
D005260 Female Females
D005528 Foot The distal extremity of the leg in vertebrates, consisting of the tarsus (ANKLE); METATARSUS; phalanges; and the soft tissues surrounding these bones. Feet
D005684 Gait Manner or style of walking. Gaits
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000054 Acceleration An increase in the rate of speed. Accelerations
D000058 Accidental Falls Falls due to slipping or tripping which may result in injury. Falls, Accidental,Falling,Falls,Slip and Fall,Accidental Fall,Fall and Slip,Fall, Accidental
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly

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