Abstract
BackgroundThis study aims to examine age-related and obstacle height-related differences in movements while stepping over obstacles.MethodsThe participants included 16 elderly and nine young women. Obstacles that were either 5 or 20 cm high were positioned at the center of a 4-m walking path. The participants were instructed to walk along the path as quickly as possible. The participants’ movements were analyzed using a three-dimensional motion analysis system that recorded their movements as they walked and stepped over the obstacles.Results and conclusionsSeven joint angles and the distances between the ground and six markers were examined in the initial contact and swing instants of the leading and trailing limbs. In the initial contact instant, the elderly women prepared for stepping with a lower toe height than the young women when stepping over the 20-cm obstacle. Trunk rotation was greater in the young women than in the elderly women. In the swing instant, the elderly women showed greater ankle dorsiflexion and hip adduction angles for the leading limb when stepping over the 20-cm obstacle. They moved the trailing limb with increased ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion, hip flexion, and foot inversion to ensure that they did not touch the obstacle as they stepped over it. These movement patterns are characteristic of elderly individuals who cannot easily lift their lower limbs because of decreased lower-limb strength.
Highlights
This study aims to examine age-related and obstacle height-related differences in movements while stepping over obstacles
A significant main effect for obstacle height, whereas trunk rotation showed a main effect for age
Ankle dorsiflexion and hip adduction angles for the elderly were greatest for the 0-cm and 5-cm obstacles than for the 20-cm obstacle
Summary
This study aims to examine age-related and obstacle height-related differences in movements while stepping over obstacles. Suzuki et al [2] and Demura et al [3] examined the conditions that lead to falls in community-dwelling elderly individuals and found that the incidence of falls over a 1-year period was approximately 20% in elderly individuals aged 65 years and over, albeit with some regional differences. On account of the incidence of falls increasing with age, the possibility that elderly individuals would suffer fractures and become bedridden increases. The characteristics of walking movements in the elderly generally include decreased walking speed, shortened stride, long doublesupport phase, decreased foot elevation during the swing phase, broad-based gait, decreased upper-limb swing, and instability during direction changes [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
