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Biomechanical Role of the Locomotor System in Controlling Body Center of Mass Motion in Older Adults During Obstructed Gait

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2011

T.-M. Wang ,
H.-L. Chen ,
W.-C. Hsu ,
M.-W. Liu  and
T.-W. Lu
T.-M. Wang*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 10002, R.O.C.
H.-L. Chen*
Affiliation:
School of Occupational Therapy, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C.
W.-C. Hsu*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C.
M.-W. Liu*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C. Department of Surgery, Taiwan Adventist Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan 40143, R.O.C.
T.-W. Lu*
Affiliation:
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, R.O.C.
*
* M.D., Ph.D.
** Ph.D.
** Ph.D.
* M.D., Ph.D.
*** Professor, corresponding author
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Abstract

Fifteen young and fifteen older healthy adults walked and crossed obstacles of three different heights while kinematic data and ground reaction forces were acquired to calculate the three-dimensional motion of the centre of mass (COM) and lower limb joint moments. The older group had greater normalized jerk score of the COM. When the leading limb was crossing, the older group kept the COM more posterior and on the trailing stance limb for longer with increased knee extensor crossing moments and thus decreased anterioposterior COM deceleration. When the trailing limb was crossing, the older group decreased vertical COM deceleration through increased hip extensor crossing moments. The older group maintained the same COM motion as the young in the frontal plane with greater hip and knee abductor crossing moments. The older group exhibited significant kinetic changes in their locomotor system with increased muscular demand, leading to a more jerky motion of the body COM. However, these changes helped to maintain the frontal COM motion and to achieve a sagittal COM motion pattern which is thought to be helpful for a safe and successful obstacle-crossing. Failure to meet the kinetic demands in the elderly may increase the risk of falls during obstacle-crossing.

Keywords

Obstructed gaitJoint kineticsLower limbCenter of massOlder people
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Mechanics , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , June 2010 , pp. 195 - 203
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, R.O.C. 2010

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