Effects of 8 weeks of balance or weight training for the independently living elderly on the outcomes of induced slips

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate whether the balance or weight training could alter gait characteristics of elderly contributing to a reduction in the likelihood of slip-induced falls. A total of 18 elderly were evaluated for the study. The results indicated decreases in heel contact velocities and the friction demand characteristics after 8 weeks of training, although fundamental gait characteristics, such as walking velocity and step length, were not changed. The results also indicated an increase in transitional acceleration of the whole body center of mass. The number of falls after 8 weeks was reduced in training groups. These findings were found in conjunction with the improvements in knee flexor muscle and plantarflexor muscle strength. In conclusion, after training, elderly were less likely to initiate slips and more likely to recover from slips.

Fig. (1)

Composite view of the Fx (horizontal force), Fz (vertical force), and RCOF (friction demand, the ration of Fx to Fz) during a typical normal walking on dry surface.

Fig. (2)

Composite view of the heel dynamics (kinetics and kinematics) during a typical normal walking on dry surface. Heel dynamics during the first 0.16 s of stance phase. (Lockhart and Kim 2006)

Fig. (3)

Interaction of Time × Group for TA COM (Post: post-training, Pre: pre-training, LS means: least square means, B: balance group, C: control group, W: weight group).

Fig. (4)

Interaction of Time × Group for SD 2 (Post: post-training, Pre: pre-training, LS means: least square means, B: balance group, C: control group, W: weight group)