Late-cueing of gait tasks on an uneven brick surface impacts coordination and center of mass control in older adults

Walking requires the ability to navigate different surfaces and change direction, sometimes with little planning time, while controlling balance and body orientation. For older adults, uneven surfaces are among the environmental factors precipitating falls [1]. Falling during turning is 7.9 times more likely to lead to a hip fracture than during walking [2]. A better understanding of turning while walking (turning gait) over uneven surfaces with short planning time and the intrinsic factors that mediate performance is warranted given aging populations [3] and the economic burden of falls [4].
Source: Gait and Posture - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Tags: Full length article Source Type: research