Changes In Gait Variability for Older Adults with and Without Knee Osteoarthritis with a Prolonged Walk

Presenter: Hunter Austin Brierly

Faculty Sponsor: Katherine Boyer

School: UMass Amherst

Research Area: Sports and Exercise Science + Physiology

Session: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, Auditorium, A40

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Greater gait variability may result from poor muscle function and is related to an increased likelihood of falls in older adults. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of a 30-minute treadmill walk (30MTW) on spatiotemporal gait variability in older adults with and without knee osteoarthritis (KOA). It is hypothesized that there will be greater increases in variability with KOA vs Older Healthy (OH) due to greater muscular fatigue for KOA.

Methods: 15 KOA and 15 OH participated in this study. Foot marker data were captured at minute 2 and 30 as participants completed a 30MTW at their preferred walking pace. A 2 X 2 ANOVA was used to test for the effects of group (KOA, OH) and time (start, end) on the stride length and step width mean and standard deviation (variability).

Results & Discussion: There was a significant effect of time but not group on stride length variability. The percent change in stride length variability was greater for KOA +37.2% as compared to a +6.5% increase for OH. There was also a significant effect of time but not group for step width variability, with both groups experiencing a decrease in step width variability during the walk.

Conclusion: Physical activity, including walking, is recommended as a non-pharmacological approach to managing KOA symptoms. The results suggest that prolonged walking resulting in muscle fatigue may increase the risk of falls for those with KOA through its impact on stride length and step width variability.


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