Relationship of the sacral slope with early gait derangements in robust older women

Abstract

Background Trunk pelvic dissociation is fundamental to the compensatory mechanism for muscle weakness during body bending. We carried out an early investigation of gait changes in a sample of community-dwelling women ≥60 years without gait complaints. The primary objective was to correlate spine and pelvic angles with performance tests and accelerometry parameters. The secondary objective was to correlate performance tests with accelerometry. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 54 community-dwelling women ≥60 years were subjected to Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), performance tests (Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go, and Gait analysis), and radiographic analysis of sagittal alignment (Thoracic and Lumbar Cobb, Pelvic Incidence, Sacral Slope, and Pelvic Tilt angles). Gait speed was assessed in a 10-m comfortable walk, and accelerometry parameters were obtained in a 30-m walk distance. Results The sample, aged 72 ± 6 years, exhibited moderate correlation between Sacral Slope and Step Length (+ 0.615). Sacral Slope weakly correlated with FES-I (− 0.339), Berg Balance Scale (+ 0.367), and with further accelerometry data in the AP plane: RMS, (+ 0.439) and Stride Regularity (+ 0.475), p < 0.05, all. Lumbar Cobb weakly correlated with the following accelerometry data in the AP plane: Step Length (+ 0.405), RMS, (+ 0.392), and Stride Regularity (+ 0.345), p < 0.05, all. Additionally, Stride Regularity in AP moderately correlated with FES-I (0,561, p < 0.05), among other weak correlations between performance tests and accelerometry data in AP. Conclusions Early alterations in Sacral Slope and gait abnormalities in the AP plane may provide understanding of the early gait changes in robust older women.

The effect of ethnicity on the age-related changes of spinopelvic characteristics: a systematic review

“…[82][83][84][85] This is often associated with compensatory demand on the hips and thoracolumbar regions to maintain balance. 86 It has been reported that LL decreases with age, corresponding to a decline in quality of life. 53,[87][88][89][90][91][92] Degenerative loss of disc height, osteoporotic wedge fractures, and weakening paraspinal muscles in advancing age contribute to decrease in lordosis.…”

The Association Between Physical Function and Hyperkyphosis in Older Females: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Publication dates through 2020 were included in the meta-analyses; 3 known articles published since 2020 all reported data that confirmed our findings. Oliveira et al67 examined 54 “robust” community-dwelling females and reported significant Spearman correlations between the thoracic Cobb angle and gait speed (−0.341) as well as the Cobb angle and the TUG (+0.341). Hannink et al,68 in a mixed sex study, and Koelé et al,69 with separate data in females, both reported significant correlations between greater kyphosis angles and poorer function.…”