Effects of Corrective Training on Frequency Spectrum of Drop Landing Ground Reaction Force in Older Adults With Genu Valgus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a corrective exercise protocol on the frequency spectrum of Ground Reaction Force (GRF) in older adults with genu valgum during double-leg drop-landing task. Methods & Materials The is a quasi-experimental study (a registered clinical trial with code: IRCT2016110230657N1). Participants were 26 elderly men with genu valgum (13 in intervention group and 13 in control group). The GRF data were measured by two force plates (Kistler Group, Winterthur, Switzerland). The corrective exercise was performed for 16 weeks, 3 sessions per week. All participants signed a written consent form and the study design was approved by the ethics committee. Those subjects with a history of injury were excluded from the study. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results The mean age of participants in the intervention and control groups were 63.92±2.21 and 64.01±2.62 years, respectively. Based on the ANOVA results, the effect of time factor on the frequency with a power of 99.5% in vertical GRF (P=0.003) and the number of essential harmonics in anterior-posterior direction (P=0.006) was significant in the left leg. The effect of group factor on the 99.5% frequency power (P=0.006) and the number of essential harmonics of vertical GRF (P=0.047) in the left leg was also significant. Furthermore, the interaction effect of group and time on the 99.5% frequency power (P<0.001) and the number of essential harmonics of vertical GRF (P=0.001) in the left leg was significant. The results of paired t-test showed that the number of essential harmonics in vertical GFR in the left leg during drop-landing task in the intervention group was significantly greater in the post-test phase than in the pre-test phase (P=0.018). Conclusion Corrective exercise program improved GRF frequency during drop landing in older adults with genu valgum.

The effect of tai chi exercise on gait speed and the rate of fall in elderly women

“…The effect of Tai chi exercise on gait speed and the rate of fall different problems and complications. The World Health Organization reported fall as the third leading cause of chronic disability in the world (19). Fall affects not only elderly people's quality of life, but also the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of families and communities (14,16).…”

“…Given the high proportion of elderly population in Iran (about 7.3% of the total population), special attention should be paid to elderly issues (19) and nurses should use effective strategies to reduce fall among elderly people (26). Physical exercise is an important factor in preventing fall and its associated injuries and improving balance and walking ability among elderly people (27).…”