Darlan Martins Ribeiro1, Guilherme Augusto Santos Bueno2, Flavia Martins Gervásio3, Ruth Losada de Menezes4. 1. Post-Graduation Program in Health Science and Technologies of the University of Brasília (UnB), Ceilândia Campus, Brasília, DF, Brazil; Movement Analisis Loboratory Dr. Cláudio A. Borges, State University of Goiás (UEG), Goiânia, Brazil. Electronic address: darlan.ribeiro@hotmail.com. 2. Post-Graduation Program in Health Science and Technologies of the University of Brasília (UnB), Ceilândia Campus, Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: fisio.guilhermeaugusto@gmail.com. 3. Movement Analisis Loboratory Dr. Cláudio A. Borges, State University of Goiás (UEG), Goiânia, Brazil. Electronic address: flavia.gervasio@hotmail.com. 4. Post-Graduation Program in Health Science and Technologies of the University of Brasília (UnB), Ceilândia Campus, Brasília, DF, Brazil. Electronic address: ruthlosada@unb.br.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tripping is a common event leading to falls amongst elderly. Minimum foot clearance (MFC) is a critical swing phase control factor associated with tripping and falls. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are there differences in MFC characteristics among three age groups of women and are there association between MFC and lower limb kinematics? METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study. Three-dimensional gait analysis of 55 healthy women. ANOVA was used to compare (p<0.05) MFC characteristics among young, middle-aged and elderly groups. Multiple Linear Regression Analysis was used to test prediction over MFC. RESULTS: Elderly women walked slower, with lower MFC and lower maximum foot velocity during swing (MFV) than young and middle-aged women. There were more hip flexion and less ankle dorsiflexion during MFC among elderly. There is a strong positive relationship between dorsiflexion and MFC. And ankle dorsiflexion was the most predictive variable over MFC. SIGNIFICANCE: Elderly women walk slower with lower MFC value and less ankle dorsiflexion than gender-matched young controls. Increased hip flexion may represent a gait adaptation to avoid tripping. Gait speed had no effect on those findings.
BACKGROUND: Tripping is a common event leading to falls amongst elderly. Minimum foot clearance (MFC) is a critical swing phase control factor associated with tripping and falls. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are there differences in MFC characteristics among three age groups of women and are there association between MFC and lower limb kinematics? METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study. Three-dimensional gait analysis of 55 healthy women. ANOVA was used to compare (p<0.05) MFC characteristics among young, middle-aged and elderly groups. Multiple Linear Regression Analysis was used to test prediction over MFC. RESULTS: Elderly women walked slower, with lower MFC and lower maximum foot velocity during swing (MFV) than young and middle-aged women. There were more hip flexion and less ankle dorsiflexion during MFC among elderly. There is a strong positive relationship between dorsiflexion and MFC. And ankle dorsiflexion was the most predictive variable over MFC. SIGNIFICANCE: Elderly women walk slower with lower MFC value and less ankle dorsiflexion than gender-matched young controls. Increased hip flexion may represent a gait adaptation to avoid tripping. Gait speed had no effect on those findings.
Authors: Jessica Espinoza-Araneda; Valeria Bravo-Carrasco; Cristian Álvarez; Gabriel Nasri Marzuca-Nassr; Carmen Luz Muñoz-Mendoza; Javier Muñoz; Cristian Caparrós-Manosalva Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-03-29 Impact factor: 3.390