Article

There are few empirical data to guide the choice of a gait initiation (GI)
measure in older people. We investigated the statistical characteristics of the
components of GI, their inter-relationships and associations with sensorimotor
variables, and the effect on them of cognitive interference. METHODS: GI was
measured for randomly selected participants aged 60-86 years using a
force-platform with and without a cognitive interference task. Sensorimotor
measures were obtained using the physiological profile assessment (PPA), and
cognitive speed using the digit symbol and symbol search tests. GI was divided
into its three components: time to first lateral movement (FLM); transfer time;
and swing time. Six summary indices were assessed for suitability. Regression
techniques and Spearman correlations were used to examine learning effects,
inter-relationships between components, associations with other study factors and
responsiveness to cognitive interference. RESULTS: The median of trials per
participant was the best summary index. Learning effects were observed under
single and particularly dual-tasking. Time to FLM was most consistently
associated with age, height, weight, sensorimotor variables, falls-risk score and
cognitive speed, and was most responsive to dual-tasking. Overall time to GI was
more predictive of falls risk than was time to FLM. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple trials
are recommended for GI component measurement and the median may provide the best
summary measure across trials. Time to FLM is the GI component measure of choice
in older people due to its relationship with other factors and responsiveness to
cognitive interference but without advantage over overall time to GI.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Langue : ANGLAIS