2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-21-2023

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Tyler N. Brown and Dr. Clare K. Fitzpatrick

Abstract

During common locomotor activates, such as walk or stair negotiation, older adults exhibit unfavorable lower limb biomechanical changes, including diminished joint torque and power, and proximal mechanical work redistribution that may increase their fall risk. Twelve young (18 to 25 years) and 12 older (> 65 years) adults performed a walk and stair ascent task on a normal, slick, and uneven surface. For each walk and stair ascent trial, synchronous 3D marker trajectories and GRF data were collected. Stance phase positive limb and joint work, and relative joint work were submitted to statistical analysis. Ascending stairs required more positive work than the walk, particularly from the knee, which may increase fall risk. Yet, both walking and ascending stairs over a challenging surface required more, proximally distributed work.

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