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Publication Date

2-2024

Abstract

Purpose: Gait is associated with falls. Overweight, obesity and falls are prominent problems affecting the healthy life of the elderly in China. The purpose of this study is to measure the gait kinematic parameters of the overweight and obese elderly using BTS SMART DX Motion Capture System, and to analyze the gait characteristics of the overweight and obese elderly when walking with different speeds, so as to provide reference for the prevention of falls in the overweight and obese elderly. Methods: A total of 42 healthy old women (overweight or obese group: N = 20, age = 67.36±6.11 yrs.; normal weight group: N = 22, age = 68.65±4.07 yrs.) were recruited in this study. The kinematic parameters of subjects at constant walking speed (1.05 m/s), fast walking speed (1.41 m/s) and rushed walking speed (1.74 m/s) were measured and analyzed by BTS SMART DX Motion Capture System. Results: Two-way Repeated Measures ANOVA indicated that the within-subjects effects of stride time, double support phase, cadence, stride length, step length, step width, and knee flex-extension in the moment of touching the ground, as well as hip flex-extension, ankle dorsi-plantarflex, knee rotation, and knee ab-adduction in the moment of leaving the ground had significant difference (F = 34.889, p = 0.000; F = 3.963, p = 0.029; F = 91.408, p = 0.000; F = 19.645, p = 0.000; F = 10.183, p = 0.000; F = 4.561, p = 0.015; F = 17.289, p = 0.000; F = 9.367, p = 0.000; F = 8.557, p = 0.001; F = 13.399, p = 0.000; F = 9.971, p = 0.000). The interaction effect of walking speed and body weight on step length was significantly different (F = 3.504, p = 0.037). The between-subjects effect of knee rotation had significant difference (F = 4.197, p = 0.049). Conclusion: The walking speed could significantly affect the spatial-temporal characteristics and the angle of the lower extremity joints of the elderly, especially the spatial position of the gait and the motion of the knee joint. Overweight and obese elderly women have a higher risk of falls in the moment of leaving the ground when rushed walking.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/ijpah.3.1.15.boisestate

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