Kinematics of the Lower Limbs during Obstacle Crossings Performed by Young Adultsand the Elderly

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate whether differences exist in the joint angle of the lower limbs and temporospatial parameters between healthy young adults and the elderly during level walking and crossing obstacles of 10%, 20%, and 30% of the leg length. [Subjects] Nine healthy young adults and 9 healthy elderly persons were recruited for this study. [Methods] Each subject was instructed to walk barefoot along a 9-m walkway, step over an obstacle and continue walking at a self-selected pace. The obstacle height was randomly selected for each trial. [Results] When crossing obstacles, support time for the trailing limb, stride length for the leading limb and step width showed no significant differences between the two groups. The maximum hip and knee flexion in mid swing of the trailing limb showed no significant difference between the two groups as well. The other gait parameters showed significant differences between the two groups. [Conclusion] Gait parameters showed that various strategies were used by the young adults and the elderly so as not to fall, when they crossed obstacles of different heights. In the future, a study with a larger sample size will be needed to verify our current findings.