Article

Backward walking (BW) is an inherent component of mobility and function in daily
activities, particularly indoors, when it is more likely that a person is
barefoot. No studies to date have compared the spatio-temporal characteristics of
BW with and without shoes in elderly individuals.
This study compared
spatio-temporal measures of BW and forward walking (FW) among elderly individuals
while barefoot or wearing shoes. Forty-seven elderly individuals (13 men and 34
women, 76.7+/-7.7years of age) were evaluated. Participants were requested to
walk at a comfortable, self-selected pace across the GAITRite(R) walkway for
three trials under each of four conditions: walking forward (FW) and BW wearing
their own comfortable low-heeled walking shoes and FW and BW walking without
shoes. Gait speed, stride length and cadence were significantly reduced in BW
versus FW, with an increase in double limb support (DLS), both with and without
shoes. Barefoot BW resulted in significantly increased gait speed and cadence,
and decreased DLS compared to BW with shoes. BW stride length was not affected by
footwear. While barefoot FW was also associated with a significant increase in
cadence and decrease in DLS time compared to walking with shoes, it decreased
stride length and had no detrimental effect on gait speed. Assessment of the
spatio-temporal parameters of walking barefoot and with shoes during FW and BW
can contribute to our understanding of the ability of elderly individuals to
adapt to changing walking conditions, and should be included in the assessment of
functional mobility of elderly individuals.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS