TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of age and step direction on behavioral performances and center-of-pressure characteristics of volitional stepping in older and young adults
AU - Chu, Yu Hsiu
AU - Cheng, Chih Hsiu
AU - Tang, Pei Fang
AU - Lin, Kwan Hwa
PY - 2012/6
Y1 - 2012/6
N2 - This study investigated center-of-pressure (COP) characteristics during volitional stepping in forward, backward, and sideways directions, along with the behavioral performance measures and COP measures of volitional stepping in these directions, and the relationships between these two types of measures in healthy older and young adults. Fifteen older and 15 young adults performed rapid stepping in the three directions using each leg. Behavioral performance measures included reaction time (RT), movement time (MT), step length, and step velocity in the MT phase. COP measures included the maximum anteroposterior (COPAP) and mediolateral COP displacement (COPML) in the RT phase. Stepping in each direction demonstrated unique COP characteristics. The older adults presented slower RT, MT, step velocity, and smaller COP AP in all three stepping directions (p < 0.05), as well as smaller COPML in the sideways stepping direction (p < 0.017), compared to the young adults. Step velocity correlated with COPAP and/or COPML in all three stepping directions for both groups (r = 0.420.77, p < 0.05), suggesting that stepping performances during the movement execution phase correlated with COP control during the postural preparation phase. Results suggest that stepping training prescribed to older adults to improve their balance control may include multi-directional stepping.
AB - This study investigated center-of-pressure (COP) characteristics during volitional stepping in forward, backward, and sideways directions, along with the behavioral performance measures and COP measures of volitional stepping in these directions, and the relationships between these two types of measures in healthy older and young adults. Fifteen older and 15 young adults performed rapid stepping in the three directions using each leg. Behavioral performance measures included reaction time (RT), movement time (MT), step length, and step velocity in the MT phase. COP measures included the maximum anteroposterior (COPAP) and mediolateral COP displacement (COPML) in the RT phase. Stepping in each direction demonstrated unique COP characteristics. The older adults presented slower RT, MT, step velocity, and smaller COP AP in all three stepping directions (p < 0.05), as well as smaller COPML in the sideways stepping direction (p < 0.017), compared to the young adults. Step velocity correlated with COPAP and/or COPML in all three stepping directions for both groups (r = 0.420.77, p < 0.05), suggesting that stepping performances during the movement execution phase correlated with COP control during the postural preparation phase. Results suggest that stepping training prescribed to older adults to improve their balance control may include multi-directional stepping.
KW - Aging
KW - Center-of-pressure
KW - Multi-direction
KW - Stepping
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84863657614&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.4015/S1016237212500032
DO - 10.4015/S1016237212500032
M3 - 文章
AN - SCOPUS:84863657614
SN - 1016-2372
VL - 24
SP - 207
EP - 216
JO - Biomedical Engineering - Applications, Basis and Communications
JF - Biomedical Engineering - Applications, Basis and Communications
IS - 3
ER -