Influence of auditory biofeedback of foot angular velocity on propulsive function and gait performance in old healthy...

A distal-to-proximal redistribution of joint work and reduction in ankle kinetics may contribute to declines in gait performance with advancing age. Interventions to improve ankle function could help maintain gait performance in old adults. Inertial measurement units are practical and inexpensive and may be used to provide biofeedback of foot angular velocity to improve ankle propulsive function during gait.

This study assessed if real-time biofeedback of foot plantarflexion angular velocity influenced ankle kinetics and hip-to-ankle work ratio in old adults.

Eight healthy old adults walked at their preferred speed (PS), maximal speed (MS), and MS with auditory feedback for a 5 % increase in foot plantarflexion velocity (AUD). Kinematic and ground reaction force data were collected, and joint kinetics were calculated.

Ankle positive work was larger during MS (p < 0.001) and AUD (p < 0.001) compared to PS, and 8 % larger during AUD compared to MS (p = 0.01). Hip-to-ankle work ratio was not different during MS (p = 0.053) compared to PS but AUD reduced the ratio by 7 % compared to MS (p = 0.03) and by 19 % compared to PS (p = 0.02).

The findings suggest that biofeedback of foot plantarflexion velocity may be an effective strategy to acutely increase ankle positive work and reduce hip-to-ankle work ratio during treadmill walking in old adults.