Sidney T Baudendistel1, Abigail C Schmitt2, Amanda E Stone3, Tiphanie E Raffegeau4, Jaimie A Roper5, Chris J Hass6. 1. Applied Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA. Electronic address: sbaudendistel@ufl.edu. 2. Applied Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA; Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72704, USA. 3. Applied Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA; RR&D Center for Limb Loss and MoBility, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 S Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 3900 E Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA. 4. Applied Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA; Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. 5. Applied Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA; School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA. 6. Applied Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The ability to walk at various speeds is essential to independence for older adults. Maintaining fast walking requires changes in spatial-temporal measures, increasing step length and/or decreasing step time. It is unknown how mobility affects the parameters that change between preferred and fast walking. RESEARCH QUESTION: How does preferred walking performance and measures of strength and mobility relate to the approach (decreasing step time or increasing step length) older adults at risk for mobility disability use to maintain fast walking speeds?. METHODS: Peak isokinetic dynamometry of knee and ankle and several mobility evaluations, including the Timed Up-and-Go, Short Physical Performance Battery, and Dynamic Gait Index, assessed mobility and strength in 57 participants, aged 65-80. Biomechanical gait analysis was used to analyze step length, step time, gait speed at preferred and fast gait speeds and ground reaction force during preferred walking. A score combining the differences between step length and time at fast and preferred speeds (Length-Time Difference) separated participants into two groups: (1) Length, representing a predominant increase in step length to walk fast and (2) Time, a predominant decrease in step time. RESULTS: Those who decreased step time to produce increased speed performed worse during repeated chair stands (p = .006) with no difference in isokinetic strength (p ≥ .15). During preferred walking, the Time group displayed increased propulsive impulse compared to the Length group (p = .007), despite no differences in preferred speed, step length, or time (p ≥ .50). SIGNIFICANCE: While kinetics of preferred walking differed between groups separated by Length-Time Difference, basic spatial-temporals of preferred walking did not in this homogenous population. Length-Time Difference relates to a common mobility assessment and could be easily calculated by clinicians to provide a quantitative and more sensitive measure of ambulatory performance.
BACKGROUND: The ability to walk at various speeds is essential to independence for older adults. Maintaining fast walking requires changes in spatial-temporal measures, increasing step length and/or decreasing step time. It is unknown how mobility affects the parameters that change between preferred and fast walking. RESEARCH QUESTION: How does preferred walking performance and measures of strength and mobility relate to the approach (decreasing step time or increasing step length) older adults at risk for mobility disability use to maintain fast walking speeds?. METHODS: Peak isokinetic dynamometry of knee and ankle and several mobility evaluations, including the Timed Up-and-Go, Short Physical Performance Battery, and Dynamic Gait Index, assessed mobility and strength in 57 participants, aged 65-80. Biomechanical gait analysis was used to analyze step length, step time, gait speed at preferred and fast gait speeds and ground reaction force during preferred walking. A score combining the differences between step length and time at fast and preferred speeds (Length-Time Difference) separated participants into two groups: (1) Length, representing a predominant increase in step length to walk fast and (2) Time, a predominant decrease in step time. RESULTS: Those who decreased step time to produce increased speed performed worse during repeated chair stands (p = .006) with no difference in isokinetic strength (p ≥ .15). During preferred walking, the Time group displayed increased propulsive impulse compared to the Length group (p = .007), despite no differences in preferred speed, step length, or time (p ≥ .50). SIGNIFICANCE: While kinetics of preferred walking differed between groups separated by Length-Time Difference, basic spatial-temporals of preferred walking did not in this homogenous population. Length-Time Difference relates to a common mobility assessment and could be easily calculated by clinicians to provide a quantitative and more sensitive measure of ambulatory performance.
Authors: Stephanie Studenski; Subashan Perera; Kushang Patel; Caterina Rosano; Kimberly Faulkner; Marco Inzitari; Jennifer Brach; Julie Chandler; Peggy Cawthon; Elizabeth Barrett Connor; Michael Nevitt; Marjolein Visser; Stephen Kritchevsky; Stefania Badinelli; Tamara Harris; Anne B Newman; Jane Cauley; Luigi Ferrucci; Jack Guralnik Journal: JAMA Date: 2011-01-05 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Tiphanie E Raffegeau; Sarah A Brinkerhoff; Grace K Kellaher; Sidney Baudendistel; Matthew J Terza; Jaimie A Roper; Chris J Hass Journal: Exp Gerontol Date: 2022-01-26 Impact factor: 4.032
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