ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of bilateral knee osteoarthritis (KOA) ondynamic balance ability of ankle strategy in aged women. Methods The dynamic balance ability tester was used to test the balance score, the rotation speed, the maximum rotation speed, and the percentage of the target ball's residence time in each area of KOA patients (KOA group)and the general elderly (control group), and a comparative analysis between groups was conducted. Results The balance score of KOA group was lower than that of control group; the dynamic balance control ability of KOA group in the horizontal direction was basically the same as that of control group, but the dynamic balance control ability of KOA group in the vertical direction was weaker than that of control group.Bilateral KOA reduced dynamic balance ability of ankle strategy in the aged women.It could not affect the left-right symmetric balance ability of the aged women, but it would reduce its forward-backward symmetrical balance ability. Conclusions Bilateral KOA aged women may be more likely to fall forward or backward, while not easy to fall laterally. For elderly female patients with bilateral KOA, methods such as strengthening ankle joint strength, proprioception and responsiveness can be used to prevent falls that may be caused by reduced dynamic balance ability, especially falls in the forward and backward directions.
ABSTRACT
Objective To construct an early warning model of fall risk for the elderly based on six kinds gait parameters. Methods A digital field was used to collect parameters from six kinds of gait for the elderly with or without the history of falls, and the binomial logistic regression analysis was used to establish a regression equation for predicting the fall risks in the elderly, and an early warning model was constructed. Results The regression equations constructed according to the parameters from six kinds of gait were statistically significant. The overall correct rate was predicted from high to low: walking forward with closed eyes (97.1%), walking backward with open eyes (92.9%), walking backward with closed eyes (88.6%), walking forward with open eyes (87.1%), turning head up and down with open eyes (85.7%), turning head left and right with open eyes(82.9%). The constructed early warning model for fall risk of the elderly mainly included five steps, namely, judgment, test, extraction, calculation and early warning, which was suitable for gait testing and evaluation of the elderly in the laboratory. Conclusions Parameters from six kinds of gait could predict the fall risk of the elderly. Among them, walking forward with closed eyes was best to predict the fall risk in the elderly. The established early warning model of fall risk for the elderly could be used to predict the fall risk of 65-75 year old people within one year, which could provide early warning based on the probability of falling, playing a positive effect on preventing falls in the elderly.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the differences in the static balance ability of elderly women performing Tai Chi, square dance, and fitness walking as long-term exercises. Methods A total of 128 healthy elderly women were selected as the subjects. The subjects were classified into the Tai Chi, square dance, fitness walking, and control groups based on their daily main fitness items. The average swing speed (avg.v) of the subjects, swing angle, outer area (area), and total length of the swing (TL) were measured by a balance tester during double-feet standing with eyes closed and right-foot standing with eyes opened, and the test time was 10 s. Results There were significant differences in the values of each balance index of the Tai Chi, square dance, fitness walking, and control groups during double-feet standing with eyes closed and right-foot standing with eyes opened(P<0.05). There were significant differences in the avg.v, TL, and area index values of the Tai Chi and square dance groups (P<0.05) in case of right-foot standing with eyes opened. In both the states,the four balance indices of the Tai Chi group were significantly smaller than those of the fitness walking group (P<0.05).There were significant differences in the area, TL, and avg.v index values of the square dance and fitness walking groups (P<0.05) for the right-foot standing with eyes opened. Conclusions The static balance abilities of elderly women performing Tai Chi, square dance, and fitness walking over a long term were better than those in the absence of regular exercises. The elderly women associated with long-term Tai Chi exercises exhibited a better static balance ability than those performing square dance and fitness walking exercises, and elderly women associated with long-term square dance exercises showed a better static balance ability than those with fitness walking exercises.