Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to identify gait parameters in elderly Japanese women. 30 elderly women (65–74.9 years old) and 19 very elderly women (≥75 years old) participated in this study. A 3-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system was used to collect kinematic data, and a total of 70 gait parameters were analysed. Gait parameters included basic gait parameters, gait cycle parameters, and joints angle parameters, as well as angular velocity parameters, such as peak velocity and timing at the hip, knee, and ankle joints.ResultsOur results indicated that basic gait parameters, such as the gait cycle, peak joint angle timing, and angular velocity parameters, significantly differ between elderly and very elderly women. Delayed peak joint angle timing and angular velocity parameters occurred during critical phases throughout the gait cycle: pre-swing, initial swing, and terminal swing phases.ConclusionsSeveral gait parameters exhibited significant differences between elderly and very elderly women. The timing of the peak joint angle and angular velocity parameters are primary characteristics defining gait changes in the elderly.
Highlights
The aim of the present study was to identify gait parameters in elderly Japanese women. 30 elderly women (65–74.9 years old) and 19 very elderly women (≥75 years old) participated in this study
No significant difference was found in body weight between the groups (Table 1)
No significant differences were found in the difference between right and step lengths, ratio of step length to height, ratio of step length to lower-limb length, or cadence
Summary
The aim of the present study was to identify gait parameters in elderly Japanese women. 30 elderly women (65–74.9 years old) and 19 very elderly women (≥75 years old) participated in this study. In 2015, based on a report released by the United Nations, 12 % of the global population was elderly individuals aged 60 years or over (United Nation, Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2015). The National Institute of Aging reported that increasing numbers of elderly individuals is associated with increases in life expectancy in most countries, including developing countries (National Institute of Aging 2011). Increases in the elderly population and life expectancy are related to quality of life (Demura et al 2012; Roppolo et al 2012), which is influenced by many factors, Gait, the act of walking or running in humans, is a fundamental daily physical activity (Kerrigan et al 1998; Perry and Burnfield 2010; Baker 2013). Winter et al (1990) reported that gait characteristics are involved in a
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