Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to understand differences in balance control during stair walking on stairs of different architectural designs under varying visual conditions and lighting conditions. An 8-step custom made staircase with removable covers permitted evaluation of stair ambulation. Individuals ascended and descended the staircase under two visual conditions (normal vision, and suboptimal vision), two lighting conditions (bright light and low light) and three architectural stair design conditions (glass treads, open wood risers, and closed wood risers). The main findings of the study showed that older adults positioned their centre of mass further back from the step edge and displayed larger margins of stability across all conditions. In addition, both young and older adults displayed larger margins of stability under the glass stair condition compared to the other stair designs and under the low lighting condition compared to the bright light.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Izabela Boyaninska
Language: English
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute
OpenAlex ID: W2968487715