Subjects With COPD Walk With Less Consistent Organization of Movement Patterns of the Lower Extremity.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Gerontology

Background:

• Stride-to-stride fluctuations in walking are altered in aging populations and may indicate gait impairments.
• Investigating these fluctuations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can offer insights into their mobility issues and fall risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate stride-to-stride fluctuations by assessing the variability and movement patterns of lower limb joints in individuals with COPD compared to a control group.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 22 individuals with COPD and 22 controls, aged 62-63 years.
• Gait was recorded during treadmill walking at self-selected, fast, and slow speeds.
• Variability (standard deviation, coefficient of variation) and movement pattern consistency (predictability, organization) of hip, knee, and ankle joints were quantified using general linear mixed models.

Main Results:

• Individuals with COPD showed less consistent organization of hip and knee movement patterns compared to controls (P=.02 for both).
• Controls adapted to speed changes with more consistent movement patterns, while individuals with COPD did not.
• At faster speeds, individuals with COPD exhibited less consistent hip and knee movement organization (P=.03 and P=.005, respectively).
• No significant difference in the amount of variability was found between groups.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with COPD demonstrate reduced consistency in the organization of hip and knee joint movement patterns during walking, despite similar levels of variability.
• This diminished consistency in movement patterns may be a key factor contributing to falls and mobility challenges in patients with COPD.