Maria Joana D Caetano1,2, Jasmine C Menant1,2, Daniel Schoene3, Paulo H S Pelicioni1,2, Daina L Sturnieks1,4, Stephen R Lord1,2. 1. Neuroscience Research Australia. 2. School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. 3. Institute for Biomedicine of Aging, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany. 4. School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The ability to adapt gait when negotiating unexpected hazards is crucial to maintain stability and avoid falling. This study investigated whether impaired gait adaptability in a task including obstacle and stepping targets is associated with cognitive and sensorimotor capacities in older adults. METHODS: Fifty healthy older adults (74±7 years) were instructed to either (a) avoid an obstacle at usual step distance or (b) step onto a target at either a short or long step distance projected on a walkway two heel strikes ahead and then continue walking. Participants also completed cognitive and sensorimotor function assessments. RESULTS: Stroop test and reaction time performance significantly discriminated between participants who did and did not make stepping errors, and poorer Trail-Making test performance predicted shorter penultimate step length in the obstacle avoidance condition. Slower reaction time predicted poorer stepping accuracy; increased postural sway, weaker quadriceps strength, and poorer Stroop and Trail-Making test performances predicted increased number of steps taken to approach the target/obstacle and shorter step length; and increased postural sway and higher concern about falling predicted slower step velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Superior executive function, fast processing speed, and good muscle strength and balance were all associated with successful gait adaptability. Processing speed appears particularly important for precise foot placements; cognitive capacity for step length adjustments; and early and/or additional cognitive processing involving the inhibition of a stepping pattern for obstacle avoidance. This information may facilitate fall risk assessments and fall prevention strategies.
BACKGROUND: The ability to adapt gait when negotiating unexpected hazards is crucial to maintain stability and avoid falling. This study investigated whether impaired gait adaptability in a task including obstacle and stepping targets is associated with cognitive and sensorimotor capacities in older adults. METHODS: Fifty healthy older adults (74±7 years) were instructed to either (a) avoid an obstacle at usual step distance or (b) step onto a target at either a short or long step distance projected on a walkway two heel strikes ahead and then continue walking. Participants also completed cognitive and sensorimotor function assessments. RESULTS: Stroop test and reaction time performance significantly discriminated between participants who did and did not make stepping errors, and poorer Trail-Making test performance predicted shorter penultimate step length in the obstacle avoidance condition. Slower reaction time predicted poorer stepping accuracy; increased postural sway, weaker quadriceps strength, and poorer Stroop and Trail-Making test performances predicted increased number of steps taken to approach the target/obstacle and shorter step length; and increased postural sway and higher concern about falling predicted slower step velocity. CONCLUSIONS: Superior executive function, fast processing speed, and good muscle strength and balance were all associated with successful gait adaptability. Processing speed appears particularly important for precise foot placements; cognitive capacity for step length adjustments; and early and/or additional cognitive processing involving the inhibition of a stepping pattern for obstacle avoidance. This information may facilitate fall risk assessments and fall prevention strategies.
Authors: Tiphanie E Raffegeau; Grace K Kellaher; Matthew J Terza; Jaimie A Roper; Lori J Altmann; Chris J Hass Journal: Exp Gerontol Date: 2019-04-26 Impact factor: 4.032
Authors: Sudeshna A Chatterjee; Rachael D Seidler; Jared W Skinner; Paige E Lysne; Chanoan Sumonthee; Samuel S Wu; Ronald A Cohen; Dorian K Rose; Adam J Woods; David J Clark Journal: Innov Aging Date: 2020-08-10
Authors: Raquel C Gardner; Carrie B Peltz; Kimbra Kenney; Kenneth E Covinsky; Ramon Diaz-Arrastia; Kristine Yaffe Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2017-09-01 Impact factor: 6.053