Abstract
BackgroundThe current study investigated the repeatability (test-retest reliability) of ground reaction force parameters recorded during a voluntary step execution under single (motor task) and dual task (motor and cognitive task) conditions for healthy adults and elderly individuals as well as the number of trials required to produce repeatable results.MethodsTwenty-four healthy adults (21–63 years old) and 16 elderly adults (66–87 years) performed a voluntary rapid step execution following a tap on their heel while standing on a force platform under single and dual task conditions on three separate occasions. The first two tests were performed 30–60 minutes apart and the third test was performed a week later. Variables analyzed from the ground reaction force data included onset latency of step initiation (initiation phase), preparation and swing phases, foot-off and foot-contact times.ResultsIntraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(2,1)) were good to excellent across all parameters and test conditions for the pooled population and for elderly (0.74–0.92 and 0.62–0.88, respectively) except for the swing phase duration where lower values were seen (0.54–0.60 and 0.32–0.64 respectively). Values were similar under single and dual task conditions.ConclusionA voluntary step execution test, performed under single and dual task conditions especially foot-off and foot-contact times, is a reliable outcome measure that may be a useful tool to asses dynamic balance function for diagnostic purposes as well as clinical intervention trials.
Highlights
The current study investigated the repeatability of ground reaction force parameters recorded during a voluntary step execution under single and dual task conditions for healthy adults and elderly individuals as well as the number of trials required to produce repeatable results
The aim of the present study was to investigate inter- and intratester reliability of the temporal parameters assessed during a Voluntary Step Execution Test [8] under single and dual task conditions, i.e. simultaneous performance of a motor and a cognitive task
intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values for the younger adult subjects were good to excellent (0.68–0.88, p < 0.000, Table 2) except for ICC's of the swing phase in single and dual stepping, which were fair to good and statistically significant (ICC = 0.46, p = 0.01 and ICC = 0.77, p < 0.000, respectively, Table 2)
Summary
The current study investigated the repeatability (test-retest reliability) of ground reaction force parameters recorded during a voluntary step execution under single (motor task) and dual task (motor and cognitive task) conditions for healthy adults and elderly individuals as well as the number of trials required to produce repeatable results. Postural control plays a fundamental role for our ability to maintain balance during various activities of daily living especially those that include elements of independent standing and gait. Age-related deterioration of the postural control system can lead to balance impairment and limitations of mobility causing disability that may contribute to falls. Various postural responses including rapid execution of a step may prevent a fall from occurring [5]. Rapid voluntary stepping can help prevent the occurrence of a fall [8], especially under circumstances when there is no distinct postural perturbation but rather a gradual change in posture. The faster a step is executed in these situations the lower the risk of a fall would be thereby providing a rationale for using measures of rapid voluntary step execution as a potential indicator of the ability to avoid falls [8]
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