The Variability of Minimum Toe Clearance Decreases in both Healthy Young and Healthy Older Adults During Dual-task Treadmill Walking

Advisor Information

Sara Myers

Location

Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library

Presentation Type

Poster

Start Date

4-3-2016 2:30 PM

End Date

4-3-2016 4:00 PM

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Daily activities require the management of motor-cognitive tasks. To successfully perform such tasks without losing balance during walking, increased minimum toe clearance (MTC) and increased gait variability have been reported in older adults during over ground walking (Hamacher et al., 2014). In the current study, we investigated variability of MTC and stride time during dual-task treadmill walking. We hypothesized that the MTC variability, but not stride time variability would change during dual-task treadmill walking. METHODS: Ten healthy young (19-35 years) and 10 healthy older adults (over 65 years) walked on a treadmill for three minutes at their preferred pace while kinematics were recorded. Subjects walked at baseline and during each of the three conditions of the dichotic listening (DL) test (non-forced, forced right, and forced left). Standard deviation was calculated for MTC and stride time in each condition. A mixed ANOVA was used to determine differences between conditions and groups. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A significant condition effect (p = 0.03) was found for MTC variability. MTC variability decreased during the dual-task conditions. There was no significant group effect or interaction for MTC variability. There was a significant group effect for stride time variability, with the young having lower stride time variability than the older group. There was no significant effect or interaction for condition. Results indicated that MTC variability is controlled more closely while subjects perform a dual-task, perhaps to avoid a trip and fall. Future studies should investigate MTC variability during dual-task walking in individuals with previous falls.

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Mar 4th, 2:30 PM Mar 4th, 4:00 PM

The Variability of Minimum Toe Clearance Decreases in both Healthy Young and Healthy Older Adults During Dual-task Treadmill Walking

Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library

INTRODUCTION: Daily activities require the management of motor-cognitive tasks. To successfully perform such tasks without losing balance during walking, increased minimum toe clearance (MTC) and increased gait variability have been reported in older adults during over ground walking (Hamacher et al., 2014). In the current study, we investigated variability of MTC and stride time during dual-task treadmill walking. We hypothesized that the MTC variability, but not stride time variability would change during dual-task treadmill walking. METHODS: Ten healthy young (19-35 years) and 10 healthy older adults (over 65 years) walked on a treadmill for three minutes at their preferred pace while kinematics were recorded. Subjects walked at baseline and during each of the three conditions of the dichotic listening (DL) test (non-forced, forced right, and forced left). Standard deviation was calculated for MTC and stride time in each condition. A mixed ANOVA was used to determine differences between conditions and groups. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A significant condition effect (p = 0.03) was found for MTC variability. MTC variability decreased during the dual-task conditions. There was no significant group effect or interaction for MTC variability. There was a significant group effect for stride time variability, with the young having lower stride time variability than the older group. There was no significant effect or interaction for condition. Results indicated that MTC variability is controlled more closely while subjects perform a dual-task, perhaps to avoid a trip and fall. Future studies should investigate MTC variability during dual-task walking in individuals with previous falls.