Surface Inclination Influences Fall Risk and Lower Extremity Joint Moments During Walking
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Falls present a large danger to the geriatric population, with one in three individuals over the age of 65 experiencing at least one fall annually. With most falls occurring while walking, the relationship between inclined walking and fall risk has not been fully explored. In this study, 16 healthy young participants (age: 26.8 ±5.4 years, height: 175.0±11.0 cm, weight: 68.2 ±19.9 kg) walked on a treadmill with level surface and 10 degrees incline/decline in a virtual environment laboratory. We found that gait parameters and lower extremity joint moments were affected by surface inclination. These observed changes in joint moments and gait parameters may present challenges to the older population especially with musculoskeletal disorders and thereby increase the risk of falls. This study offers new information on the effects of incline and decline surface walking compared to normal flat ground surface walking.
Authors: Rachel Kling, Alex Chung, Courtney Cox, Emily Kimbro, Jim Grodzielanek, Stephen Ayres, Shireen Hosseini, Michael Shiraishi, Rahul Soangra
Institution: Chapman University
Language: English
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3132385963