Liis Uiga1,2, Catherine M Capio1,2, Donghyun Ryu3, William R Young4, Mark R Wilson5, Thomson W L Wong1, Andy C Y Tse6, Rich S W Masters1,2. 1. School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 2. Te Huataki Waiora Faculty of Health, Sport and Human Performance, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. 3. Institute for the Psychology of Elite Performance, School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Bangor University, UK. 4. College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University, London, UK. 5. College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, UK. 6. Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the association between conscious monitoring and control of movements (i.e., movement-specific reinvestment) and visuomotor control during walking by older adults. METHOD: The Movement-Specific Reinvestment Scale (MSRS) was administered to 92 community-dwelling older adults, aged 65-81 years, who were required to walk along a 4.8-m walkway and step on the middle of a target as accurately as possible. Participants' movement kinematics and gaze behavior were measured during approach to the target and when stepping on it. RESULTS: High scores on the MSRS were associated with prolonged stance and double support times during approach to the stepping target, and less accurate foot placement when stepping on the target. No associations between MSRS and gaze behavior were observed. DISCUSSION: Older adults with a high propensity for movement-specific reinvestment seem to need more time to "plan" future stepping movements, yet show worse stepping accuracy than older adults with a low propensity for movement-specific reinvestment. Future research should examine whether older adults with a higher propensity for reinvestment are more likely to display movement errors that lead to falling.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the association between conscious monitoring and control of movements (i.e., movement-specific reinvestment) and visuomotor control during walking by older adults. METHOD: The Movement-Specific Reinvestment Scale (MSRS) was administered to 92 community-dwelling older adults, aged 65-81 years, who were required to walk along a 4.8-m walkway and step on the middle of a target as accurately as possible. Participants' movement kinematics and gaze behavior were measured during approach to the target and when stepping on it. RESULTS: High scores on the MSRS were associated with prolonged stance and double support times during approach to the stepping target, and less accurate foot placement when stepping on the target. No associations between MSRS and gaze behavior were observed. DISCUSSION: Older adults with a high propensity for movement-specific reinvestment seem to need more time to "plan" future stepping movements, yet show worse stepping accuracy than older adults with a low propensity for movement-specific reinvestment. Future research should examine whether older adults with a higher propensity for reinvestment are more likely to display movement errors that lead to falling.
Authors: Lisa Musculus; Noel Kinrade; Sylvain Laborde; Melina Gleißert; Miriam Streich; Babett Helen Lobinger Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-12 Impact factor: 3.390