The influence of postural control on toe clearance during stair negotiation in older adults

Aging interferes with postural control in older adults and affects their functional ability to perform daily activities, like walking and stair negotiation. As a result, older adults tend to have less toe clearance in relation to the step during stair negotiation, which is reflected in a greater risk of falling. However, there is no evidence of influence of postural control on toe clearance performance during stair negotiation in older adults.

Does the performance of postural control influence toe clearance behavior during stair negotiation in older adults?

This study was conducted on 16 healthy older adults. Participants were asked to go up and down a stair with four steps that was one meter away. To assess postural control, participants were instructed to stand on the force platform and perform the following postures: 1) Semi tandem base and 2) single leg base. The toe clearance was calculated for landing and transition moments for both limbs; the temporal variables mean sway amplitude and total mean velocity were considered.

Postural control temporal variables can partly explain toe clearance behavior during stair negotiation. A greater influence of mean sway amplitude was found in the semi tandem base during stair ascent and descent.

These results allow the identification of the risk related to tripping and falling on the stairs, as well as training for better postural control and locomotor performance in older adults during stair negotiation.