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The aging human neuromuscular system expresses less certainty for selecting joint kinematics during gait
Max J Kurz1, Nicholas Stergiou
1HPER Biomechanics Laboratory, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE 68182-0216, USA. mkurz@mail.unomaha.edu
Abstract:
This investigation quantitatively characterized the certainty of the aging neuromuscular system in selecting a joint range of motion during gait based on the statistical concept of entropy. Elderly and young control groups walked on a treadmill at a self-selected pace. Joint angles were calculated for the ankle, knee and hip. We hypothesized that the aging group would exhibit less certainty in selecting a joint range of motion during gait. Our results supported this hypothesis, and indicated that aged individuals demonstrated statistically less certainty for the knee (16.8%) and hip (24.6%). We suggest that neurophysiological changes associated with aging may result in less certainty of the neuromuscular system in selecting a stable gait.