The effect of mobility-related anxiety on walking across the lifespan: a virtual reality simulation study.
Exp Brain Res
; 241(7): 1757-1768, 2023 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37204506
ABSTRACT
Older adults who report a fear of falling are more likely to subsequently fall, yet, some gait anxiety-related alterations may protect balance. We examined the effect of age on walking in anxiety-inducing virtual reality (VR) settings. We predicted a high elevation-related postural threat would impair gait in older age, and differences in cognitive and physical function would relate to the observed effects. Altogether, 24 adults (age (y) = 49.2 (18.7), 13 women) walked on a 2.2-m walkway at self-selected and fast speeds at low (ground) and high (15 m) VR elevation. Self-reported cognitive and somatic anxiety and mental effort were greater at high elevations (all p < 0.001), but age- and speed-related effects were not observed. At high VR elevations, participants walked slower, took shorter steps, and reduced turning speed (all p < 0.001). Significant interactions with age in gait speed and step length showed that relatively older adults walked slower (ß = - 0.05, p = 0.024) and took shorter steps (ß = - 0.05, p = 0.001) at self-selected speeds at high compared to low elevation settings. The effect of Age on gait speed and step length disappeared between self-selected and fast speeds and at high elevation. At self-selected speeds, older adults took shorter and slower steps at high elevation without changing step width, suggesting that in threatening settings relatively older people change gait parameters to promote stability. At fast speeds, older adults walked like relatively younger adults (or young adults walked like older adults) supporting the notion that people opt to walk faster in a way that still protects balance and stability in threatening settings.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Realidade Virtual
/
Longevidade
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Exp Brain Res
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos