Surface, but Not Age Impact Lower Limb Joint Work During Walk and Stair Ascent

Authors

Thomas A. Wenzel, Boise State UniversityFollow
Nicholas L. Hunt, Boise State UniversityFollow
Amy E. Holcomb, Boise State UniversityFollow
Clare K. Fitzpatrick, Boise State UniversityFollow
Tyler N. Brown, Boise State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-19-2024

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Tyler Brown and Dr. Clare 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. To investigate age-related differences in lower limb work, 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.

Comments

NIH Institute on Aging (R15AG059655) supported this work.

Recommended Citation

Wenzel, Thomas A.; Hunt, Nicholas L.; Holcomb, Amy E.; Fitzpatrick, Clare K.; and Brown, Tyler N., "Surface, but Not Age Impact Lower Limb Joint Work During Walk and Stair Ascent" (2024). 2024 Undergraduate Research Showcase. 13.
https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/under_showcase_2024/13