Gait And Pelvic Angle Symmetry As A Function Of Age In Women 55 And Older

Abstract

Serious injuries due to falls in people 65 years and older is a critical cost and quality of life issue in our society; slowed and degraded gait is of particular concern in older women. Falling often correlates with impaired gait and balance caused by loss of muscular strength and/or sensory impairments. Gait and pelvic angle symmetries (between left and right sides of the body) are key measures of gait quality. PURPOSE: The goal of this study, an initial phase in a larger project, was to characterize the relationship between age and several gait symmetry measures in women 55 and older. METHODS: 20 healthy female participants (ages 55-83) walked along a hallway while their gait characteristics were monitored; each participant walked 4 times at their self-selected pace. Data on pelvic tilt, obliquity, and rotation symmetry, as well as overall gait symmetry (similarity of trunk accelerations on the left and right sides) were assessed using an inertial sensor (BTS-G Walk) placed on the low back (L5). RESULTS: Pelvic tilt symmetry, which ranged from 30-98%, showed a statistically significant relationship with age in these older women walkers (p=0.009); age explained 33% of the variation in pelvic tilt symmetry. Neither pelvic rotation (p=0.33), pelvic obliquity (p=0.99), or gait symmetry (p=0.46) showed significant relationships to age. CONCLUSIONS: These initial findings reveal a particular focus of gait impairment as a function of age in older women -- pelvic tilt symmetry. Interventions to address this aspect of gait may improve walking patterns, and thus dynamic stability, in older walkers.