Step length appears to be a strong discriminant gait parameter for elderly females highly concerned about falls: a cross-sectional observational study

Kirkwood, Renata Noce; Moreira, Bruno de Souza; Vallone, MÃ¡rcia L. D. C.; Mingoti, Sueli Aparecida; Dias, Rosângela Corrêa; Sampaio, Rosana Ferreira

doi:10.1016/j.physio.2010.08.007

Cited by 72 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Smaller step length and height, greater support base, and more time in the double support phase trigger a reduction in walking speed and alter stability. Thus, the variability of the spatial and temporal parameters of walking by these elderly persons contribute to a more unsteady gait and an even higher risk of falls 3,19,[24][25][26] . Again according to Lopes et al 7 , seniors with a fear of falling tend to employ the agonist and antagonist muscles simultaneously, resulting in postural rigidity, abnormal gait, poor postural strategies, and dependence on devices to guarantee stability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of fear of falling, in a sample of elderly adults in the community

Cruz

Duque

Leite

2017

Rev. bras. geriatr. gerontol.

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Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of fear of falling among a sample of elderly persons in the community, and to analyze its correlation with age, self-perceived health, difficulty walking, use of an assistive device for walking, history of falls, and functional capacity. Method: A cross-sectional study of 314 non-institutionalized elderly individuals, living in the city of Juiz de Fora in the state of Minas Gerais) in 2015, was carried out. A household survey was conducted and fear of falling was assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale -International -Brazil (FES-I-BR ASIL). The Spearman correlation was used to verify the correlation of the independent variables with the fear of falling. The significance level for the study was 5%. Results: The prevalence of fear of falling among the elderly was 95.2% (95% CI= 92.3; 97.3). Fear of falling was significantly correlated with all the variables analyzed: age (r= 0.199), self-perceived health (r=0.299), difficulty walking (r= -0.480), use of an assistive device for walking (r=0.337), history of falls (r= -0.177), and functional capacity (r = -0.476). Conclusions: A high prevalence of fear of falling was observed, with a significant correlation between the outcome and the variables studied. These findings point to the need for rehabilitation, prevention, and health promotion strategies that enable healthy aging.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of fear of falling, in a sample of elderly adults in the community

Cruz

Duque

Leite

2017

Rev. bras. geriatr. gerontol.

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“…Existing studies have found reduced gait speed [8][9][10], reduced step or stride length [9,11], increased step width and increased double support phase (DSP) [9] in those with FOF but similar changes are observed with increasing age [12,13], depression [14] and with a history of falls [15], all of which are also associated with FOF. Rochat et al [16] found similar gait changes between groups with no FOF, FOF alone and FOF with activity restriction but while the differences between the no FOF and FOF alone groups were fully explained by confounding variables, those with FOF and activity restriction had decreased gait performance and increased gait variability independent of health and functional status.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Effects of fear of falling and activity restriction on normal and dual task walking in community dwelling older adults

Donoghue¹,

Cronin²,

Savva³

et al. 2013

Gait & Posture

113

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Fear of falling (FOF) is associated with poor physical and psychosocial health and can have debilitating consequences especially when it leads to activity restriction. This study examined whether normal and dual task gait disruptions were independently associated with FOF and activity restriction or if they were fully explained by impaired health status. Data was obtained from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Community dwelling adults =65 years, with a Mini-Mental State Examination score =18 and who completed a gait assessment (n=1307) were divided into three groups: no FOF, FOF but no activity restriction (FOF-NAR), FOF with activity restriction (FOF-AR). Physical, psychosocial and cognitive measures were obtained and gait characteristics were assessed using a GAITRite(®) mat during normal and dual task (cognitive) walking. After adjusting for sociodemographics, physical, mental and cognitive health, FOF was associated with reduced gait speed and stride length and increased double support phase and step width in normal and dual task conditions; these changes were most pronounced in those who restrict activities as a result of FOF. These gait changes may be associated with an increased fall risk, however some changes especially increased step width may also reflect positive, compensatory adaptations to FOF. The results also highlight the importance of treating underlying health impairments and preventing the transition from FOF to activity restriction

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“…Para que a análise cinemática da marcha seja mais abrangente, é necessário analisar também variáveis temporais, e, variação angular do quadril, joelho e tornozelo. Porém, o comprimento de passo continua sendo uma das variáveis mais utilizadas em razão das representações dos ajustes da marcha que essa variável permite analisar, além disso, segundo Kirkwood et al (2011) esta variável apresenta maior capacidade discriminatória quando comparada às demais utilizadas para avaliar o risco de quedas em idosos. Já a variabilidade do comprimento de passo é uma importante medida de falhas nos mecanismos neurais de controle da marcha e o aumento da mesma é um fator predisponente à quedas pois indica redução da estabilidade.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

“…Já a variabilidade do comprimento de passo é uma importante medida de falhas nos mecanismos neurais de controle da marcha e o aumento da mesma é um fator predisponente à quedas pois indica redução da estabilidade. Quanto à largura de passo, esta reflete um distúrbio de equilíbrio durante a marcha, e, seu aumento indica uma compensação gerada a partir de uma instabilidade médio-lateral (Kirkwood et al, 2011;Sousa, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

Life Comparison of kinematic variables of gait on a treadmill and on soil of individuals with Parkinson's disease

et al. 2017

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ARTIGO ORIGINAL | ORIGINAL ARTICLE RESUMOA esteira ergométrica vem sendo utilizada para análise da marcha em muitos estudos, porém, torna-se necessário verificar se a marcha em esteira pode reproduzir de modo similar a marcha em solo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar as variáveis cinemáticas da marcha em esteira e em solo em pacientes com Doença de Parkinson. A amostra foi constituída por sete indivíduos de ambos os gêneros, com diagnóstico de Parkinsonismo idiopático que realizassem marcha independente. Foi realizada avaliação biomecânica da marcha em solo com velocidade de preferência por cinco vezes consecutivas. Os participantes caminharam em um circuito para garantir uma marcha contínua. A análise da marcha em esteira foi realizada por 30 minutos após protocolo de familiarização. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas nas variáveis analisadas entre a marcha em solo e em esteira dos participantes. A marcha em solo é semelhante, em relação às variáveis cinemáticas analisadas, à marcha em esteira após período de familiarização. Palavras-chaves: Doença de Parkinson, marcha, solo, esteira ergométrica. ABSTRACTThe treadmill has been used for gait analysis in many studies, however, it is necessary to check whether the treadmill gait can reproduce similarly to gait on soil. The aim of this study was to compare gait kinematic variables on a treadmill and on soil in patients with Parkinson's disease. The sample consisted of seven individuals of both genders, diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinsonism who performed independent walking. Gait biomechanical analysis on soil with preferred speed for five consecutive times was performed. Participants walked on a circuit to ensure continuous walk. Gait analysis on the treadmill was realized for 30 minutes after familiarization protocol. No significant differences were found on the variables between gait on soil and on the treadmill of the participants. The gait in soil is similar, in relation to the kinematic variables analyzed, to the treadmill gait after familiarization period.

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Step length appears to be a strong discriminant gait parameter for elderly females highly concerned about falls: a cross-sectional observational study

Cited by 72 publications

References 34 publications

Prevalence of fear of falling, in a sample of elderly adults in the community

Prevalence of fear of falling, in a sample of elderly adults in the community

Effects of fear of falling and activity restriction on normal and dual task walking in community dwelling older adults

Life Comparison of kinematic variables of gait on a treadmill and on soil of individuals with Parkinson's disease

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