Abstract
Evaluation of potential fatigue for the elderly could minimize their risk of injury and thus encourage them to do more physical exercises. Fatigue-related gait instability was often assessed by the changes of joint kinematics, whilst planar pressure variability and asymmetry parameters may complement and provide better estimation. We hypothesized that fatigue condition (induced by the treadmill brisk-walking task) would lead to instability and could be reflected by the variability and asymmetry of plantar pressure. Fifteen elderly adults participated in the 60-min brisk walking trial on a treadmill without a pause, which could ensure that the fatigue-inducing effect is continuous and participants will not recover halfway. The plantar pressure data were extracted at baseline, the 30th minute, and the 60th minute. The median of contact time, peak pressure, and pressure-time integrals in each plantar region was calculated, in addition to their asymmetry and variability. After 60 min of brisk walking, there were significant increases in peak pressure at the medial and lateral arch regions, and central metatarsal regions, in addition to their impulses (p < 0.05). In addition, the variability of plantar pressure at the medial arch was significantly increased (p < 0.05), but their asymmetry was decreased. On the other hand, the contact time was significantly increased at all plantar regions (p < 0.05). The weakened muscle control and shock absorption upon fatigue could be the reason for the increased peak pressure, impulse, and variability, while the improved symmetry and prolonged plantar contact time could be a compensatory mechanism to restore stability. The outcome of this study can facilitate the development of gait instability or fatigue assessment using wearable in-shoe pressure sensors.
Highlights
Population aging is a global triumph challenging the existing models of social and healthcare
The contact time is significantly different in all foot regions; peak pressure in regions except hallux and lateral metatarsal; impulse in regions except hallux and medial metatarsal; ASI of peak plantar pressure in the arch; median absolute deviation (MAD) of average plantar pressure in the arch and medial heel (p < 0.05)
This study explored the changes of plantar pressure and its asymmetry and variability in elderly adults with fatigue induced by brisk walking
Summary
Population aging is a global triumph challenging the existing models of social and healthcare. Walking at least 5000 steps a day can maintain muscular strength and functional mobility for the elderly that could effectively reduce the risk of falling [6]. Falling is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly people [2] To this end, we believe that recognizing the fatigue state and gait derivation/instability could provide a timely reminder to elderly people, which can minimize the risk of falls. We believe that recognizing the fatigue state and gait derivation/instability could provide a timely reminder to elderly people, which can minimize the risk of falls This could help the elderly overcome fears and encourage them to do more physical exercises; improving their muscle strength, coordination, and balance ability; and reducing the risks of falling [10]
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