Article

Shoes with rocker bottom soles are utilized by persons with diabetic peripheral
neuropathy to reduce plantar pressures during gait. The risk of falls increases
with age and is compounded by diabetic neuropathy. The purpose of this study was
to analyze how rocker bottom shoes affect posture control of older adults (50-75
years old) and younger adults (20-35 years old) in response to posterior slide
perturbations. The postural response to a posterior platform translation was
normalized among subjects by applying the below threshold stepping velocity
(BTSV) for each subject. The BTSV was the fastest velocity of platform
translation that did not cause a stepping response while wearing the rocker
bottom shoes. Joint excursion, time to first response, response time, and
variability of mean peak joint angles were analyzed at the ankle, knee, hip,
trunk, and head in the sagittal plane. The statistical analysis was a 2-factor
mixed repeated measures design to determine interactions between and within shoe
types and age groups. While wearing rocker bottom shoes, both age groups
exhibited increased joint excursion, differences in time to initial response, and
longer response time. The older group demonstrated decreased joint excursion and
increased time to initial response compared to the younger group, as well as a
significantly slower mean BTSV. These findings support the conclusion that in
healthy older adults and in populations at risk for falls, the use of rocker
bottom or other unstable shoes may increase the potential of falls when
confronted with a standing perturbation such as a forceful slip or trip.
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Langue : ANGLAIS