Muscle Activation and Variability in Older Adults Walking at Different Speeds
Author Information
Author(s): Park Yongnam, Bae Youngsook, Chou Li-Wei, Kang Jiunn-Horng, Piravej Krisna, Chua Karen Sui Geok
Primary Institution: Gachon University
Hypothesis
Fall-risk older adults would exhibit decreased muscle activation and greater variability in lower limb muscle activity as walking speed increases compared to non-fall-risk older adults.
Conclusion
In older adults at risk for falls, muscle activation variability increased with changes in walking speed, suggesting that reducing this variability may help prevent falls.
Supporting Evidence
- Fall-risk older adults had significantly lower GCM activity and higher CVs of RF, BF, TA, and GCM at preferred speed.
- With changes in gait speed, fall-risk older adults had significantly increased CVs of RF, BF, and GCM.
- Variability in muscle activation is closely related to fall risk in older adults.
Takeaway
Older people who are at risk of falling have more inconsistent muscle movements when they walk faster, which can make them more likely to fall.
Methodology
This cross-sectional study measured muscle activation and variability in 301 older adults walking at different speeds using electromyography.
Potential Biases
Potential psychological factors, such as fear of walking on a treadmill, may have affected muscle activation.
Limitations
The study only included older adults who could walk on a treadmill, which may not reflect real-life walking conditions.
Participant Demographics
Participants were community-dwelling older adults aged 70-90 years, with 135 men and 166 women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website