Gait Coordination Deteriorates in Independent Old-Old Adults

Click name to view affiliation

Yoav Gimmon
Search for other papers by Yoav Gimmon in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Hisham Rashad
Search for other papers by Hisham Rashad in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Ilan Kurz
Search for other papers by Ilan Kurz in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Meir Plotnik
Search for other papers by Meir Plotnik in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Raziel Riemer
Search for other papers by Raziel Riemer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Ronen Debi
Search for other papers by Ronen Debi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Amir Shapiro
Search for other papers by Amir Shapiro in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Itshak Melzer
Search for other papers by Itshak Melzer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2017-0120
In Print:
Volume 26: Issue 3
Page Range:
382–389
Restricted access

Human gait is symmetric and bilaterally coordinated in young healthy persons. In this study, we aimed to explore the differences in bilateral coordination of gait as measured by the phase coordination index (PCI), gait asymmetry, and stride time variability of gait between four age groups. A total of 44 older adults were recruited: nine young-old (age 70–74 years), 26 old (age 75–84 years), nine old-old (>85 years and older), and 13 young adults (age 20–30 years). Subjects walked on a treadmill; walking speed was systematically increased from 0.5 to 0.9 m/s in steps of 0.1 m/s. There were marginal effects of age on PCI, significant main effects of walking speeds without interaction between walking speeds and age group. A difference in PCI could distinguish between young’s and late aging group, and only during their preferred treadmills walking speed. This study explicitly shows that bilateral coordination of walking is modified by gait speed, and deteriorates only at a very old age.

Gimmon, Rashad, Kurz, and Melzer are with the Dept. of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. Gimmon is also with the Center of Advanced Technologies in Rehabilitation, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. Plotnik is with the Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel, and the Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. Riemer is with the Dept. of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. Debi is with Orthopedic Dept., Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel. Shapiro is with the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Address author correspondence to Itshak Melzer at itzikm@bgu.ac.il.
  • Collapse
  • Expand
Cover Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

  • Alexander, N.B. (1996). Gait disorders in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 44(4), 434–451. PubMed ID: 8636592 doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.1996.tb06417.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Arya, K.N., & Pandian, S. (2014). Interlimb neural coupling: Implications for poststroke hemiparesis. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 57, 696–713. PubMed ID: 25262645 doi:10.1016/j.rehab.2014.06.003

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Barak, Y., Wagenaar, R.C., & Holt, K.G. (2006). Gait characteristics of elderly people with a history of falls: A dynamic approach. Physical Therapy, 86, 1501–1510. PubMed ID: 17079750 doi:10.2522/ptj.20050387

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Berg, W.P., Alessio, H.M., Mills, E.M., & Tong, C. (1997). Circumstances and consequences of falls in independent community-dwelling older adults. Age and Ageing, 26(4), 261–268. PubMed ID: 9271288 doi:10.1093/ageing/26.4.261

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). The state of aging and health in America report. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/aging/data/index.htm

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chiu, S.L., Chang, C.C., & Chou, L.S. (2015). Inter joint coordination of overground versus treadmill walking in young adults. Gait & Posture, 41, 316–318. PubMed ID: 25304089 doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2014.09.015

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Duysens, J., & Van de Crommert, H.W. (1998). Neural control of locomotion; Part 1: The central pattern generator from cats to humans. Gait & Posture, 7, 131–141. PubMed ID: 10200383 doi:10.1016/S0966-6362(97)00042-8

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • England, S.A., & Granata, K.P. (2007). The influence of gait speed on local dynamic stability of walking. Gait & Posture, 25, 172–178. PubMed ID: 16621565 doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.03.003

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Folstein, M.F., Robins, L.N., & Helzer, J.E. (1983). The mini-mental state examination. Archives of General Psychiatry, 40(7), 812. PubMed ID: 6860082 doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1983.01790060110016

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Guralnik, J.M., Simonsick, E.M., Ferrucci, L., Glynn, R.J., Berkman, L.F., Blazer, D.G., … Wallace, R.B. (1994). A short physical performance battery assessing lower extremity function: Association with self-reported disability and prediction of mortality and nursing home admission. Journals of Gerontology, 49(2), 85–94. doi:10.1093/geronj/49.2.M85

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hausdorff, J.M., Rios, D.A., & Edelberg, H.K. (2001). Gait variability and fall risk in community living older adults: A 1-year prospective study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 82, 1050–1056. PubMed ID: 11494184 doi:10.1053/apmr.2001.24893

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Jordan, K., Challis, J.H., & Newell, K.M. (2007). Walking speed influences on gait cycle variability. Gait & Posture, 26, 128–134. PubMed ID: 16982195 doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.08.010

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Judge, J.O., Davis, R.B., & Ounpuu, S. (1996). Step length reductions in advanced age: The role of ankle and hip kinetics. The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 51, M303–M312. doi:10.1093/gerona/51A.6.M303

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Klein, P.J., & DeHaven, J.J. (1995). Accuracy of three-dimensional linear and angular estimates obtained with the Ariel performance analysis system. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 76(2), 183–189. PubMed ID: 7848077 doi:10.1016/S0003-9993(95)80028-X

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Maki, B.E. (1997). Gait changes in older adults: Predictors of falls or indicators of fear. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 45, 313–320. PubMed ID: 9063277 doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.1997.tb00946.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Maki, B.E., Holliday, P.J., & Topper, A.K. (1994). A prospective study of postural balance and risk of falling in an ambulatory and independent elderly population. Journals of Gerontology, 49, M72–M84. doi:10.1093/geronj/49.2.M72

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Meijer, R., Plotnik, M., Zwaaftink, E.G., van Lummel, R.C., Ainsworth, E., Martina, J.D., & Hausdorff, J.M. (2011). Markedly impaired bilateral coordination of gait in post-stroke patients: Is this deficit distinct from asymmetry? A cohort study. Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation, 8, 23. doi:10.1186/1743-0003-8-23

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Moe-Nilssen, R., & Helbostad, J.L. (2005). Interstride trunk acceleration variability but not step width variability can differentiate between fit and frail older adults. Gait & Posture, 21(2), 164–170. PubMed ID: 15639395 doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2004.01.013

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Murray, M.P., Spurr, G.B., Sepic, S.B., Gardner, G.M., & Mollinger, L.A. (1985). Treadmill vs. floor walking: Kinematics, electromyogram, and heart rate. Journal of Applied Physiology, 59(1), 87–91. PubMed ID: 4030579

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nevitt, M.C., Cummings, S.R., & Hudes, E.S. (1991). Risk factors for injurious falls: A prospective study. Journal of Gerontology, 46(5), M164–M170. doi:10.1093/geronj/46.5.M164

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Plotnik, M., Bartsch, R.P., Zeev, A., Giladi, N., & Hausdorff, J.M. (2013). Effects of walking speed on asymmetry and bilateral coordination of gait. Gait & Posture, 38, 864–869. PubMed ID: 23680424 doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.04.011

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Plotnik, M., Giladi, N., & Hausdorff, J.M. (2007). A new measure for quantifying the bilateral coordination of human gait: Effects of aging and Parkinson’s disease. Experimental Brain Research, 181, 561–570. PubMed ID: 17503027 doi:10.1007/s00221-007-0955-7

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Plotnik, M., Giladi, N., & Hausdorff, J.M. (2008). Bilateral coordination of walking and freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease. European Journal of Neuroscience, 27, 1999–2006. PubMed ID: 18412621 doi:10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06167.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rubenstein, L.Z. (2006). Falls in older people: Epidemiology, risk factors and strategies for prevention. Age and Ageing, 35, ii37–ii41. doi:10.1093/ageing/afl084

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sadeghi, H. (2003). Local or global asymmetry in gait of people without impairments. Gait & Posture, 17, 197–204. PubMed ID: 12770633 doi:10.1016/S0966-6362(02)00089-9

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sadeghi, H., Allard, P., Prince, F., & Labelle, H. (2000). Symmetry and limb dominance in able-bodied gait: A review. Gait & Posture, 12, 34–45. PubMed ID: 10996295 doi:10.1016/S0966-6362(00)00070-9

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schrager, M.A., Kelly, V.E., Price, R., Ferrucci, L., & Shumway-Cook, A. (2008). The effects of age on medio-lateral stability during normal and narrow base walking. Gait & Posture, 28, 466–471. PubMed ID: 18400500 doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.02.009

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Tinetti, M.E. (1986). Performance-oriented assessment of mobility problems in elderly patients. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 34(2), 119–126. PubMed ID: 3944402 doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.1986.tb05480.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Vaupel, J.W. (2010). Biodemography of human ageing. Nature, 464(7288), 536–542. PubMed ID: 20336136 doi:10.1038/nature08984

  • Wagenaar, R.C., & Beek, W.J. (1992). Hemiplegic gait: A kinematic analysis using walking speed as a basis. Journal of Biomechanics, 25, 1007–1015. PubMed ID: 1517261 doi:10.1016/0021-9290(92)90036-Z

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Woollacott, M.H., & Tang, P.F. (1997). Balance control during walking in the older adult: Research and its implications. Physical Therapy, 77(6), 646–660. PubMed ID: 9184689 doi:10.1093/ptj/77.6.646

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Yardley, L., & Smith, H. (2002). A prospective study of the relationship between feared consequences of falling and avoidance of activity in community-living older people. Gerontologist, 42(1), 17–23. PubMed ID: 11815695 doi:10.1093/geront/42.1.17

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Yogev, G., Plotnik, M., Peretz, C., Giladi, N., & Hausdorff, J.M. (2007). Gait asymmetry in patients with Parkinson’s disease and elderly fallers: When does the bilateral coordination of gait require attention? Experimental Brain Research, 177, 336–346. PubMed ID: 16972073 doi:10.1007/s00221-006-0676-3

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 3090 393 33
Full Text Views 56 22 2
PDF Downloads 30 6 2