ABSTRACT
Obesity is a major global health problem. It is now commonly seen in young population due to their lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. Obesity is now more common in younger females. Due to hormonal changes, body may not adapt, which may lead to life threatening and irreversible conditions. Obesity affects many physical factors including gait and balance. We wanted to study the correlation between obesity and gait-balance parameters, the effect of multi component exercise program on selected gait and balance parameters in young obese females. We also wanted to study its effect on dynamic balance, and compare it with conventional exercise program.METHODSIn this comparative study two groups were created with 20 participants with obesity grade 1 BMI in each. Group 2 underwent 26 weeks of multi component exercise. Group 1 underwent conventional exercises. Data was assessed and analysed. Outcome measures were body mass index, base of support, stride length, step length, cadence, and functional reach test.RESULTSBody mass index for group 1 after their conventional exercise decreased in 47% while in group 2 with multi component exercise protocol BMI reduced in 53% population. Similarly base of support for group 1 was 42% and group 2 was 58%; stride length in group 1 was 42% and group 2 was 58%; step length for group 1 was 42% and group 2 was 58%; cadence for group 1 was 42% and group 2 was 58%; functional reach test was 42% and 58% for group 1 and group 2 respectively.CONCLUSIONSA significant improvement was found in selected gait and balance parameters in young obese women with the help of multi component exercise program.
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Introduction: Cadence and step length are important biomechanical variables of walking and running but they are not typically monitored by the treadmills. This study explains a novel non-invasive method to estimate the step length of walking and running to maximize the professional skills and scientific capabilities of Physiotherapists and Exercise professionals. Methodology: Seventeen individuals (10 men and 7 women) who have been undergoing supervised fitness training programs were selected for the biomechanical analysis of the relationship between cadence and step length of walking and running on the treadmill in the speeds ranging from 5 Km/h to 15 Km/h for men and 5 Km/h to 12 Km/h for women. Results: Exercisers displayed wide range of step length strategies to manage the walking and running speeds opted for the experiment. Additionally, when the same exercisers were allowed to exhibit their maximum running speed in the outdoor environment, a statistically significant difference was found because all of them faced psychological constraints to explore or sustain their fastest running ability on the treadmill. Conclusion: Assessment of cadence and step lengths of the patients and exercisers looks indispensable. Visual counting method to calculate the cadence can be easily acquired through practice, usually accompanied by the development of the skill to compute the step lengths using mathematical formulae. The same method can be used to ascertain if the individuals are adapting symmetrical or asymmetrical step lengths by just separately counting the number of steps produced by each lower extremity for a specific time length (30 seconds or 60 seconds). Experts should continue exploring such feasible, non-invasive and inexpensive diagnostic procedures.
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BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is an inevitable disease in the progression of aging society. Decrease of muscle strength and joint flexibility and variation in foot structure and function can cause the change of gait characteristics of the elderly to varying degrees. Therefore, by comparing the plantar pressure data of elderly patients with sarcopenia and healthy elderly people, It Is helpful to provide accurate evaluation indexes for clinical prediction of fall risks in elderly patients with sarcopenia. OBJECTIVE: To Investigate the changes of plantar pressure In elderly patients with sarcopenia. METHODS: The plantar pressure data of elderly patients with sarcopenia (experimental group) and elderly people without sarcopenia (control group) were collected by Footscan 2.0 plantar pressure test system. The step length, step speed, touchdown time, plantar zone pressure, plantar pressure center trajectory were compared and analyzed. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, China. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The step length and speed of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The touchdown time in the experimental group was higher than that In the control group. Significant differences between the two groups were found in the changes of plantar pressure in toes 2-5, metatarsal 3, mid foot, metatarsal 4, and metatarsal 5 of the left foot as well as In the changes of plantar pressure In toes 2-5, metatarsal 3, metatarsal 4, and metatarsal 5 of the right foot. The total length of the plantar pressure center trajectory and the short-and long-axis length of the ellipse In the left and right feet were significantly different between the experimental and control groups. These findings Indicate that elderly patients with sarcopenia have lower walking and balance control abilities as well as worse gait symmetry as compared with healthy controls.
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This study aimed to clarify the relative growth in thigh muscle size and sprint performance in children from 3 to 15 years. A total of 902 children performed a 30-m sprint test. Sprint time was measured by a photocell system. Muscle thicknesses of thigh anterior and posterior were determined by using a B-mode ultrasound. For 431 children, step frequency (SF) and step length (SL) during the sprint running were also analyzed with the films, and corrected by leg length. Using an allometry equation based on body height, relative growth of thigh muscle size and sprint performance was estimated. In both boys and girls, there was a breakpoint (BP) at which the rate of development in sprint velocity changes, and the rate of development was slower after the BP. On the other hand, the rate of growth in thigh muscle size after the BP was superior to that before the point, except of thigh posterior in boys. Regardless of sex, the rate of development in SL index after the BP became to be lower with increasing body height, whereas SF index relatively increased. These current findings indicate that in boys and girls, the rate of development in sprint velocity becomes to be lower above a certain body height, and the relative slow development may result from those in SF and SL.
ABSTRACT
In this study, we investigated whether subjects with a Lower Maximum Step Length (MSL) Percentage (LMP) display unstable locomotion while negotiating an obstacle. Data were collected using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. The toe-obstacle clearance of the leading limb was monitored in 10 young adults while stepping over three height obstacles from 30%, 40% and 50% of MSL. The vertical clearance at the time of the obstacle crossing decreased systematically with more complicated experimental set up. In particular, subjects with LMP showed smaller clearances than subjects with a Higher Maximum step length Percentage (HMP). Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between the toe-obstacle clearance and MSL. The mean of variance value of toe-obstacle clearance of the leading limb differed between the subjects with LMP and those with HMP. Our findings help to explain the relation of MSL and gait adaption ability to negotiate obstacles safely during obstacles crossing.
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This study was to investigate the effects of balance exercises on among static, dynamic and reactive balance ability in community-dwelling older women. Participants comprised 26 community-dwelling older women in Japan, randomized for age and gait speed to the exercise group (n=13) or the control group (n=13). The exercise group performed structured balancing exercises on the sponge and the G ball, once weekly for 24 weeks. The control group performed stretching exercises once per month. Static balance ability was assessed by measuring postural sway and standing on one leg; dynamic balance ability was assessed by measuring functional reach, timed up and go, and gait; and reactive balance ability was assessed using the EquiTest. We also measured knee and ankle strength using an isokinetic machine.At baseline, the two groups were well matched in physical characteristics and in all balance ability and strength tests. After 24 weeks, step length of preferred speed walking (p=0.049) only improved, and peak torque of knee flexion (p=0.050) tended to improve in the exercise group. Any correlations were not found between step length of preferred speed walking and knee flexion strength.These results suggest that these structured balance exercises are effective in improving dynamic, but not static or reactive balance ability. Improvements in dynamic balance ability were not dependent on improved muscle strength.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Many clinical measures have been used to assess fall risk in elderly adults. The first objective of this study was to assess the clinical availability of maximal step length (MSL) as a measurement predicting falling probability in future. The second objective of this study was to try to find out how to use MSL more easily in a clinical setting. METHODS: The study population consisted of 50 community-dwelling people (> or =60 yrs). Demographic data were reviewed by self-recorded questionnaire and MSL, US and TUG had been done when the subjects visited a clinic in March and April 2004. They revisited the clinic after one year and information of fall incidence was obtained and their visual acuity was examined. To examine the association between many performance tests (MSL Unipedal stance, Timed up and go) and their real falling after tests, we analysed data by Mann-Whitney rank Test, pearson correlation and multiple regression. RESULTS: The average MSL predicted future falling (P-value 0.025), but Unipedal stance, Timed up and go did not. The predicting ability of MSL was preserved using many MSL measures (average MSL corrected by leg length and height, one direction measure among six directions of MSL, and average of left and right three directions of MSL). CONCLUSION: This study showed that MSL had the ability to predict elderly adults' falling in future. And this study showed that MSL can be used more easily in a clinical setting.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Humans , Incidence , Leg , Visual Acuity , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Many clinical measures have been used to assess fall risk in elderly adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the interrelationship of maximal step length (MSL) measurement as protective strategies and risk factors of falls. METHODS: The study population consisted of 149 community-dwelling people (> or = 60 yrs). Demographic data, depression degree (GDS-short form), fatigue degree (revised Chalder's fatigue scale) were reviewed by self-recorded questionnaire. K-MMSE, MSL, US and TUG were done when they visited our clinic. We examined whether MSL was correlated with the six leg-directions and was related to other measures to evaluate fall risk. To examine the association between MSL and other variables, we analyzed data by T-test, ANOVA and multiple regressions. RESULTS: The MSLmean correlated highly with each leg- direction MSL (correlation coefficient, r=0.771~0.941, P<0.01), US (r=0.392, P<0.01) and TUG (r=-0.608, P<0.01). The MSL(mean/L) (MSL(mean), leg length adjusted) correlated strongly with frequent fall (P=0.005). Also, the MSL(mean/L) had a tendency to be low in the elderly, females, in those with regular exercise, widowed or divorced, DM, stroke, dementia suspicion, inclination toward depression, arthritis and frequent falls, but higher score on fatigue groups. Age (P<.001), sex (P=0.001), DM (P<.001), frequent falls (P= 0.017), dementia suspicion (P=0.016), and arthritis (P= 0.024) variables were related with MSL(mean/L) when we examined these variables by multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: MSL was correlated highly with other functional performance test and DM, age, sex, frequent fall, dementia suspicion, and arthritis variables for fall risk.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Arthritis , Dementia , Depression , Divorce , Fatigue , Leg , Risk Factors , Stroke , Widowhood , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Many clinical measures have been used to assess fall risk in elderly adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the interrelationship of maximal step length (MSL) measurement as protective strategies and risk factors of falls. METHODS: The study population consisted of 149 community-dwelling people (> or = 60 yrs). Demographic data, depression degree (GDS-short form), fatigue degree (revised Chalder's fatigue scale) were reviewed by self-recorded questionnaire. K-MMSE, MSL, US and TUG were done when they visited our clinic. We examined whether MSL was correlated with the six leg-directions and was related to other measures to evaluate fall risk. To examine the association between MSL and other variables, we analyzed data by T-test, ANOVA and multiple regressions. RESULTS: The MSLmean correlated highly with each leg- direction MSL (correlation coefficient, r=0.771~0.941, P<0.01), US (r=0.392, P<0.01) and TUG (r=-0.608, P<0.01). The MSL(mean/L) (MSL(mean), leg length adjusted) correlated strongly with frequent fall (P=0.005). Also, the MSL(mean/L) had a tendency to be low in the elderly, females, in those with regular exercise, widowed or divorced, DM, stroke, dementia suspicion, inclination toward depression, arthritis and frequent falls, but higher score on fatigue groups. Age (P<.001), sex (P=0.001), DM (P<.001), frequent falls (P= 0.017), dementia suspicion (P=0.016), and arthritis (P= 0.024) variables were related with MSL(mean/L) when we examined these variables by multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: MSL was correlated highly with other functional performance test and DM, age, sex, frequent fall, dementia suspicion, and arthritis variables for fall risk.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Arthritis , Dementia , Depression , Divorce , Fatigue , Leg , Risk Factors , Stroke , Widowhood , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
In order to give more effective instruction for running in sports medicine, the mechanical stresses in the knee joint during running at various speeds and step lengths were investigated.<BR>The subjects were five male sprinters. Running conditions were as follows : 1) running at four speeds (2.5 m/s, 4.5 m/s, 6.5 m/s and maximum running speed) with natural step lengths, 2) run-ning with three different step lengths (1.0 m, 1.5m and preferred step length) at 4.5 m/s running speed, and 3) running at maximum speed using four different step lengths (1.0 m, 1.5m 2.5m and preferred step length) . Running movements were recorded using a high speed video camera. And ground reaction forces were also measured by a force platform. The compressive force and shear force in the tibiofemoral joint were computed from the results of two dimensional motion analysis. That is, the external force caused by ground reaction forces, the internal force produced by the mus-cle to develop joint torque and total force (external+internal force) were computed for both com-pressive and shear forces.<BR>The total compressive force that affects the meniscus and articular cartilage in the tibiofemoral joint depended on the magnitude of internal force. The total compressive force increased with running speed and step length. Therefore, caution should be employed in changing running speed and step length for regulating the magnitude of total compressive force on the tibiofemoral joint. On the other hand, the total shear force that caused traction stress in the posterior cruciate ligament depended on the magnitude of external force. The posterior shear force was generated during the foot contact period, and increased with step length. As for total shear force in the tibiofemoral joint, care must be taken to regulate step length.