Advisor Information
Vivien Marmelat
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
3-3-2017 10:45 AM
End Date
3-3-2017 12:00 PM
Abstract
Walking in healthy young adults displays an optimal pattern of variability from one stride to the next. This level ensures that each step taken is not stereotyped but also not completely unpredictable. Previous studies have investigated differences in stride-to-stride characteristics comparing groups of young to groups of elderly. The consistency of gait variability measures on an individual level remains to be determined. The first aim of this study is to determine the between day and between trial consistency of gait variability measures in healthy young adults. We hypothesize that there will be a high level of consistency from day-to-day and within day measure of gait variability. If confirmed, our results would suggest any changes in variability observed for a given individual would likely be the result of experimental constraints, not an artifact from the measurement.
While a decrease of optimal gait variability is evident with aging, the origins of this are unclear. It is possible that impairments of the muscular systems increasing fatigue causes the inherent decrease in optimal gait variability. Fatigue can be defined as any reduction in the force-generating capacity of a muscle due to recent activation and can be attributed to peripheral and central nervous system failure. How localized fatigue affects the gait of individuals is not well known due to fatigue being such a complex phenomenon. The second aim of this study is to determine how neuromuscular fatigue will affect stride-to-stride variability.
Influence of neuromuscular fatigue on the reliability of gait variability measures
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Walking in healthy young adults displays an optimal pattern of variability from one stride to the next. This level ensures that each step taken is not stereotyped but also not completely unpredictable. Previous studies have investigated differences in stride-to-stride characteristics comparing groups of young to groups of elderly. The consistency of gait variability measures on an individual level remains to be determined. The first aim of this study is to determine the between day and between trial consistency of gait variability measures in healthy young adults. We hypothesize that there will be a high level of consistency from day-to-day and within day measure of gait variability. If confirmed, our results would suggest any changes in variability observed for a given individual would likely be the result of experimental constraints, not an artifact from the measurement.
While a decrease of optimal gait variability is evident with aging, the origins of this are unclear. It is possible that impairments of the muscular systems increasing fatigue causes the inherent decrease in optimal gait variability. Fatigue can be defined as any reduction in the force-generating capacity of a muscle due to recent activation and can be attributed to peripheral and central nervous system failure. How localized fatigue affects the gait of individuals is not well known due to fatigue being such a complex phenomenon. The second aim of this study is to determine how neuromuscular fatigue will affect stride-to-stride variability.