Effect of uphill and downhill walking on walking performance in geriatric patients using a wheeled walker.
Z Gerontol Geriatr
; 50(6): 483-487, 2017 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27878412
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Wheeled walkers are recommended to improve walking performance in older persons and to encourage and assist participation in daily life. Nevertheless, using a wheeled walker can cause serious problems in the natural environment. This study aimed to compare uphill and downhill walking with walking level in geriatric patients using a wheeled walker. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of using a wheeled walker with respect to dual tasking when walking level.METHODS:
A total of 20 geriatric patients (median age 84.5 years) walked 10 m at their habitual pace along a level surface, uphill and downhill, with and without a standard wheeled walker. Gait speed, stride length and cadence were assessed by wearable sensors and the walk ratio was calculated.RESULTS:
When using a wheeled walker while walking level the walk ratio improved (0.58 m/[steps/min] versus 0.57 m/[steps/min], p = 0.023) but gait speed decreased (1.07 m/s versus 1.12 m/s, p = 0.020) when compared to not using a wheeled walker. With respect to the walk ratio, uphill and downhill walking with a wheeled walker decreased walking performance when compared to level walking (0.54 m/[steps/min] versus 0.58 m/[steps/min], p = 0.023 and 0.55 m/[steps/min] versus 0.58 m/[steps/min], p = 0.001, respectively). At the same time, gait speed decreased (0.079 m/s versus 1.07 m/s, p < 0.0001) or was unaffected.CONCLUSION:
The use of a wheeled walker improved the quality of level walking but the performance of uphill and downhill walking was worse compared to walking level when using a wheeled walker.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Andadores
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Exercício Físico
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Caminhada
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Pessoas com Deficiência
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Promoção da Saúde
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Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos
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Casas de Saúde
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Systematic_reviews
Limite:
Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Z Gerontol Geriatr
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article