Article

Human multi-segmental motion is a complex task requiring motor coordination.
Uncoordinated motor control may contribute to the decline in mobility; however,
it is unknown whether the age-related decline in intersegmental coordination
relates to the decline in gait performance. The aim of this study was to clarify
the association between intersegmental coordination and gait speed in elderly
females. Gait measurements were performed in 91 community-dwelling elderly
females over 60 years old. Foot, shank, and thigh sagittal motions were assessed.
Intersegmental coordination was analyzed using the mean value of the continuous
relative phase (mCRP) during four phases of the gait cycle to investigate phase
differences in foot-shank and shank-thigh motions during a normal gait. The
results showed that foot-shank mCRP at late stance had negative correlations with
gait speed (r=-0.53) and cadence (r=-0.54) and a positive correlation with age
(r=0.25). In contrast, shank-thigh mCRP at late stance had positive correlations
with gait speed (r=0.37) and cadence (r=0.56). Moreover, partial correlation,
controlling age, height, and weight, revealed that foot-shank mCRP at late stance
had negative correlations with gait speed (r=-0.52) and cadence (r=-0.54).
Shank-thigh mCRP at late stance had a positive correlation with gait speed
(r=0.28) and cadence (r=0.51). These findings imply that the foot-shank and
shank-thigh coordination patterns at late stance relate to gait speed, and
uncoordinated lower limb motion is believed to be associated with the age-related decline in cadence.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS