Abstract:
Objectives: Knowledge about gender differences in intra-limb coordination during walking provides insight into the adaptability of central nervous system for controlling gait in older adults. We assessed the variability and phase dynamic of the intra-limb coordination in older men and women during walking . Methods: Twenty two older people, 11 female and 11 male, participated in this study. They were asked to perform walk on a treadmill at their preferred speed. Deviation phase and mean absolute relative phase values -indicators of variability and phase dynamic of intra-limb coordination, respectively- were calculated using the data collected by a motion capture system. We used independent sample t-test for statistical analysis . Results: The results showed that women had a significant higher deviation phase in pelvis-thigh inter-segmental relationships on both sides. Additionally, the mean absolute relative phase of left pelvis-thigh, thigh-shank and shank-foot were significantly different between men and women . Discussion: While women showed a lower mean absolute relative phase in pelvis-thigh, men had a lower mean absolute relative phase in shank-thigh inter-segmental relationships. We suggest that gender could affect the intra-limb coordination variability and phase dynamic during walking in older people. This may be a reflection of the great adaptability of neuromuscular system to modify control strategies for walking in older women/ men.
Machine summary:
Iranian Rehabilitation Journal, Vol. 12, No. 21, September 2014 Original Article Gender differences in Intra Limb Coordination while walking in older people Tabassom Ghanavati; Noureddin Karimi*; Mahyar Salavati University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hossein Negahban; Mohammad Mehravar; Masumeh Hessam Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Ismail Ebrahimi Takamjani Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Objectives: Knowledge about gender differences in intra-limb coordination during walking provides insight into the adaptability of central nervous system for controlling gait in older adults.
We assessed the variability and phase dynamic of the intra-limb coordination in older men and women during walking .
Deviation phase and mean absolute relative phase values -indicators of variability and phase dynamic of intra-limb coordination, respectively- were calculated using the data collected by a motion capture system.
We suggest that gender could affect the intra-limb coordination variability and phase dynamic during walking in older people.
Key words: Intra-limb coordination, Continuous relative phase, gait, gender, elderly Submitted: 14 May 2014 Accepted: 25 August 2014 Introduction Falls and their possible consequences such as fractures, hospitalizations, fear of falling and loss of independence are important public health concerns among elderly people.
Discussion In this study we investigated the gender differences in variability and phase dynamics of ILC of lower extremities in older people during walking at preferred speeds.
Conclusion This study demonstrated that in elderly people, gender can significantly alter the variability and phase dynamics of ILC of lower extremities during walking.