The impact of obesity on gait stability in older adults.

ABSTRACT: Obesity increases fall risk, and fall-related injuries in older adults. While prior work suggests obesity influences postural stability during standing, little is known about how obesity affects walking stability. Therefore, this study compared walking stability in older adults with and without obesity. Exploratory analyses were also conducted to evaluate the associations between measures of body habitus and gait stability as well as the association between prospective stumbles and falls and gait stability. A total of 34 older adults (17 with obesity, 17 with normal weight) walked on a treadmill at a self-selected speed. Walking stability was quantified as the local dynamic stability of the trunk in all three planes of motion. Participants also performed a series of functional tests, and w

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7061260 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature