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Muscle activity during gait initiation in normal elderly people
J Mickelborough1, M L van der Linden, R C Tallis
1Centre for Rehabilitation and Human Performance Research, Brian Blatchford Building, The University of Salford, Frederick Road, M6 6PU Salford, UK. j.mickelborough@salford.ac.uk
Gait & Posture
|January 27, 2004
Summary
This study examined muscle activity patterns during gait initiation in elderly individuals. Findings reveal variable muscle activation, particularly in the preparatory phase, offering a baseline for clinical comparisons.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Gait initiation is a complex process.
- Understanding normal gait initiation is crucial for identifying abnormalities.
- Elderly individuals often experience gait and balance challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize phasic muscle activity patterns during gait initiation in healthy older adults.
- To establish a normative dataset for muscle activation during this transitional movement.
Main Methods:
- Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to record muscle activity.
- Bilateral EMG data were collected from tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, and gluteus medius.
- Recordings were made throughout the gait initiation process in 21 elderly participants.
Main Results:
- Observed variable expression in muscle onset patterns during gait initiation.
- Noted a trend towards increased muscle activity variability in the preparatory phase.
- Established a baseline of normal muscle activation patterns.
Conclusions:
- Elderly individuals exhibit variability in muscle activation during gait initiation.
- The preparatory phase shows a tendency for more variable muscle activity.
- This research provides a reference for assessing gait and balance disorders.