Article

One target for rehabilitating locomotor disorders in older adults is to increase
mobility by improving walking velocity. Combining rhythmic auditory cueing (RAC)
and treadmill training permits the study of the stride length/stride velocity
ratio (SL/SV), often reduced in those with mobility deficits. We investigated the
use of RAC to increase velocity by manipulating the SL/SV ratio in older adults.
Nine participants (6 female; age: 61.1 +/- 8.8 years) walked overground on a gait
mat at preferred and fast speeds. After acclimatization to comfortable speed on a
treadmill, participants adjusted their cadence to match the cue for 3 min at 115%
of preferred speed by either (a) increasing stride length only or (b) increasing
stride frequency only. Following training, participants walked across the gait
mat at preferred velocity without, and then with, RAC. Group analysis determined
no immediate overground velocity increase, but reintroducing RAC did produce an
increase in velocity after both conditions. Group and single subject analysis
determined that the SL/SV ratio changed in the intended direction only in the
stride length condition. We conclude that RAC is a powerful organizer of gait
parameters, evidenced by its induced after-effects following short duration training.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS