Influence of simulated neuromuscular noise on movement variability and fall risk in a 3D dynamic walking model.

ABSTRACT: People at risk of falling exhibit increased gait variability, which may predict future falls. However, the causal mechanisms underlying these correlations are not well known. Increased neuronal noise associated with aging likely leads to increased gait variability, which could in turn lead to increased fall risk. This paper presents a model of how changes in neuromuscular noise independently affect gait variability and probability of falling, and aims to determine the extent to which changes in gait variability directly predict fall risk. We used a dynamic walking model that incorporates a lateral step controller to maintain lateral stability. Noise was applied to this controller to approximate neuromuscular noise in humans. Noise amplitude was varied between low amplitudes that did not in

SUBMITTER: Roos PE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2975795 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature