Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026
Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Effects of eight-week backward walking training on mechanical energy flow pattern and Achilles tendon properties in
Long-Huei Lin1, Nai-Wen Hsu1, Yun-Lin Tsai1
1School of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC.
Background:
Dynapenia, an age-related decline in muscle strength despite preserved muscle mass, is associated with reduced walking speed and increased fall risk. Backward walking training involves eccentric activation of the plantar flexors and has been shown to enhance walking performance. This exploratory study evaluated how an eight-week backward walking training program influences lower-limb mechanical energy flow and tendon properties in older adults with dynapenia.
Method:
Forty-four older females (> 65 years) were recruited, comprising 21 individuals with dynapenia and 23 older adults as the control group. The dynapenia group underwent backward walking training (3 sessions/week, 30 min/session). Mechanical energy flow, Achilles tendon stiffness, and gait speed were assessed before and after the training. Nonparametric tests were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05).
Results:
At baseline, the dynapenia group exhibited significantly lower segmental energy change rates in the thigh and shank, reduced tendon stiffness and stress, and an altered knee joint energy pattern compared with controls. Following training, no significant changes were observed in mechanical energy flow or tendon properties. Walking speed significantly improved by 10.2 %-19.6 % after training.
Conclusion:
Backward walking training improved walking speed in older adults with dynapenia. However, such improvement may be attributed to factors other than tendon adaptation or enhanced energy efficiency, given that no significant changes were detected. These findings provide preliminary insights into the biomechanical response to backward walking and underscore the need for future studies to validate potential training effects.
