The step length-frequency relationship in physically active community-dwelling older women

Open access
Date
2008-10Type
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
This study evaluated the step length–frequency relationship in physically active community-dwelling older women in order to investigate whether the relationship between these two spatio-temporal gait parameters changes with increasing age. Forty older women in four age groups, i.e. 64–69, 70–74, 75–79 and 80–85 year olds, participated in the study. Subjects walked at five different self-selected speeds and while simultaneously performing an additional cognitive and/or upper-extremity motor task. Gait parameters were determined from forward accelerations measured by a tri-axial accelerometer on the lower back. All subjects demonstrated a strong linear relationship between step length and step frequency for walking at different speeds. No evidence for a change in the step length–frequency relationship with age was found, suggesting that there are no differences between physically active older women of different age groups regarding the adoption of a “cautious gait”, i.e. a gait pattern characterized by a reduced step length. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-005827782Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
European Journal of Applied PhysiologyVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
SpringerSubject
Gait; Older women; Step length; Step frequency; Linear regressionOrganisational unit
02535 - Institut für Bewegungswiss. und Sport / Institut of Human Movement Sc. and Sport08758 - Trainingslehre / E. de Bruin
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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