Analysis of dynamic balance during walking in patients with Parkinson's disease and able-bodied elderly people

Purpose: Walking pattern in patients with Parkinson's disease [PD] is abnormal, and dynamic balance of these patients is not clear yet. The objective of this study was to analyze the dynamic balance of patients with PD during walking and comparing it with normal elderly individuals

Methods: This is an Ex-post - facto research study design. Twelve male patients with PD [mean age: 64.0 +/- 7.8 y; mean height: 165.0 +/- 7.0 cm; mean mass: 65.3 +/- 10.3 kg; and mean BMI: 24.1 +/- 3.6 kg/m2] and 12 healthy male subjects as the peer group with matched age, height, weight, and BMI participated in this study. All subjects were chosen using convenience sampling method. Vicon motion analysis system was used to analyze temporal variables and center of mass [COM] displacement of the subjects during walking. Data were analyzed in SPSS-19 using independent t test with P<0.05

Results: Stride length and walking speed was significantly smaller in patients with PD than that in peer group [P<0.05]. Mediolateral displacement of COM was not different between the two groups [P>0.05]. However, posterioanterior and vertical displacements of COM were significantly smaller in patients with PD

Conclusion: Stride length, walking speed, as well as the posterioanterior and vertical displacement of COM in patients with PD were lower than those variables in normal subjects. These changes might be considered as a compensatory response of neuromuscular system to the affected dynamic postural control in these patients

Motor skill competence and perceived motor competence: which best predicts physical activity among girls?

The main purpose of this study was to determine which correlate, perceived motor competence or motor skill competence, best predicts girls' physical activity behavior. A sample of 352 girls [mean age=8.7, SD=0.3 yr] participated in this study. To assess motor skill competence and perceived motor competence, each child completed the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 and Physical Ability sub-scale of Marsh's Self-Description Questionnaire. Children's physical activity was assessed by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Multiple linear regression model was used to determine whether perceived motor competence or motor skill competence best predicts moderate-to-vigorous self-report physical activity. Multiple regression analysis indicated that motor skill competence and perceived motor competence predicted 21% variance in physical activity [R[2]=0.21, F=48.9, P=0.001], and motor skill competence [R[2]=0.15, beta=0.33, P= 0.001] resulted in more variance than perceived motor competence [R[2]=0.06, beta =0.25, P=0.001] in physical activity. Results revealed motor skill competence had more influence in comparison with perceived motor competence on physical activity level. We suggest interventional programs based on motor skill competence and perceived motor competence should be administered or implemented to promote physical activity in young girls