Biomechanical Mechanisms of Improved Balance Recovery to Repeated Backward Slips Simulated by Treadmill Belt Accelerations in Young and Older Adults.

ABSTRACT: Aim: Exposure to repeated gait perturbations improves the balance of older adults (OAs) and decreases their risks of falling, but little is known about the underpinning mechanical adjustments. We aimed to quantify the changing temporo-spatial and kinetic characteristics of balance recovery following repeated backward slips to better understand the mechanical adjustments responsible for improved balance. Methods: We exposed 17 young adults (YAs) (25.2 ± 3.7 years) and 17 OAs (62.4 ± 6.6 years) to 10 backward slips simulated on an instrumented treadmill by unilateral backward belt accelerations. We measured the balance of the participants (margin of stability: MoS), balance recovery (n_steps: number of steps necessary to return to a steady gait for at least three cons

SUBMITTER: Debelle H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8490723 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature