OBJECTIVE: To examine whether Parkinson's disease (PD) affects gait behavior and stability while walking over an obstacle. DESIGN: Parallel group comparisons were completed in which participants completed 5 trials of normal walking and 5 trials of obstacle crossing while gait kinematics and kinetics were collected. SETTING: University biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with PD (n=10) and age- and sex-matched healthy older adults (n=10). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gait parameters, obstacle clearance parameters, and center of mass motion were calculated during normal walking and obstacle crossing. RESULTS: Results revealed that decrements in gait performance in individuals with PD were amplified during obstacle crossing, suggesting that due to disease-related degradation, individuals with PD chose a more conservative strategy for obstacle crossing. Moreover, an increased duration of single limb support (18% increase), a decrease in anteroposterior range of motion (20% decrease), and an increase in mediolateral range of motion (36% increase, though not significant) coupled with the reduction in the distance between the center of pressure and center of mass (mean of 21% decrease across toe-off and heel strike) and increase in margin of stability (31% increase at toe-off and 71% increase at heel strike) may suggest that deficits in muscle strength and balance may contribute to this impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with PD alter their behavior to reduce the mechanical demands and increase dynamic stability during obstacle avoidance tasks.
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether Parkinson's disease (PD) affects gait behavior and stability while walking over an obstacle. DESIGN: Parallel group comparisons were completed in which participants completed 5 trials of normal walking and 5 trials of obstacle crossing while gait kinematics and kinetics were collected. SETTING: University biomechanics laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with PD (n=10) and age- and sex-matched healthy older adults (n=10). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gait parameters, obstacle clearance parameters, and center of mass motion were calculated during normal walking and obstacle crossing. RESULTS: Results revealed that decrements in gait performance in individuals with PD were amplified during obstacle crossing, suggesting that due to disease-related degradation, individuals with PD chose a more conservative strategy for obstacle crossing. Moreover, an increased duration of single limb support (18% increase), a decrease in anteroposterior range of motion (20% decrease), and an increase in mediolateral range of motion (36% increase, though not significant) coupled with the reduction in the distance between the center of pressure and center of mass (mean of 21% decrease across toe-off and heel strike) and increase in margin of stability (31% increase at toe-off and 71% increase at heel strike) may suggest that deficits in muscle strength and balance may contribute to this impairment. CONCLUSIONS:Persons with PD alter their behavior to reduce the mechanical demands and increase dynamic stability during obstacle avoidance tasks.
Authors: James B Tracy; Drew A Petersen; Jamie Pigman; Benjamin C Conner; Henry G Wright; Christopher M Modlesky; Freeman Miller; Curtis L Johnson; Jeremy R Crenshaw Journal: Gait Posture Date: 2019-06-11 Impact factor: 2.840
Authors: Katrijn Smulders; Marian L Dale; Patricia Carlson-Kuhta; John G Nutt; Fay B Horak Journal: Parkinsonism Relat Disord Date: 2016-07-17 Impact factor: 4.891
Authors: Ryan T Roemmich; Joe R Nocera; Elizabeth L Stegemöller; Anhar Hassan; Michael S Okun; Chris J Hass Journal: Clin Neurophysiol Date: 2013-07-31 Impact factor: 3.708
Authors: Grace K Kellaher; Sidney T Baudendistel; Ryan T Roemmich; Matthew J Terza; Chris J Hass Journal: Parkinsonism Relat Disord Date: 2021-12-01 Impact factor: 4.402