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Adaptational responses in dynamic stability during disturbed walking in the elderly
Stefanie Bierbaum1, Andreas Peper, Kiros Karamanidis
1Department of Training and Movement Sciences, Humboldt-University Berlin, Germany.
Journal of Biomechanics
|May 18, 2010
Summary
Elderly individuals show adaptive improvements in dynamic stability during walking disturbances, but their feedback corrections are less effective, potentially increasing fall risk.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Gerontology
- Motor Control
Background:
- Aging is associated with declines in locomotor control and dynamic stability.
- Understanding age-related differences in adaptive responses to gait perturbations is crucial for fall prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related differences in predictive and feedback adaptive locomotor control during disturbed walking.
- To examine how dynamic stability components adapt to unexpected gait perturbations in young and older adults.
Main Methods:
- Thirteen older (62-74 yrs) and ten younger (23-30 yrs) males participated.
- Gait was analyzed on a gangway with a perturbing soft surface element.
- Margin of stability (MS) was calculated to assess dynamic stability.
- Predictive and feedback adaptation were evaluated during baseline and adaptation phases.
Main Results:
- Following the first perturbation, MS decreased more in older adults, indicating greater instability.
- Both age groups showed recovery of MS to baseline values during the adaptation phase.
- Younger and older adults demonstrated predictive adjustments in MS after the perturbation.
Conclusions:
- Age-related impairments do not prevent adaptive improvements in dynamic stability components.
- Feedback corrections following unexpected gait perturbations are less effective in older adults.
- Reduced feedback effectiveness in the elderly may elevate the risk of falling.
