Control of Upper Body Accelerations in Young and Elderly Women During Walking
Author Information
Author(s): Mazzà Claudia, Iosa Marco, Pecoraro Fabrizio, Cappozzo Aurelio
Primary Institution: Università degli Studi di Roma 'Foro Italico'
Hypothesis
The study aims to assess the ability to attenuate head acceleration during level walking in young and elderly women.
Conclusion
Elderly women have compromised ability to stabilize head movements during walking, which may indicate a risk for walking instability.
Supporting Evidence
- Young women showed better head acceleration control than elderly women.
- Elderly women had higher head accelerations compared to pelvis accelerations.
- Both groups managed to attenuate upper body accelerations in the AP direction.
Takeaway
This study shows that young women can better control their head movements while walking than older women, which helps them stay stable.
Methodology
The study used a stereophotogrammetric system to analyze the movements of markers on the head, shoulder, and pelvis of 16 young and 20 elderly women while walking.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the sample being limited to physically active women without musculoskeletal or neurological disorders.
Limitations
The study was limited to female subjects and did not account for male participants.
Participant Demographics
16 young women (age: 24 ± 4 years) and 20 elderly women (age: 72 ± 4 years).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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