UDC

612.67:612.66

Authors

Moroz Taisiya Petrovna
Postgraduate Student, Institute of Medical and Biological Research, Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov (Arkhangelsk, Russia)
Demin Aleksandr Viktorovich
Institute of Medical and Biological Research, Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov (Arkhangelsk, Russia)

Abstract

We performed a comparative assessment of age-related features of walking in women aged 70–79 years. We tested 68 women aged 70–74 years (36 subjects) and 75–79 years (32 subjects). To assess the functional state of dynamic components of postural control we used Smart Equitest Balance Manager. The following tests were conducted: Rhythmic Weight Shift, Walk Across, Tandem Walk, and Step/Quick Turn. The Walk Across test did not reveal any significant differences between the age groups 70–74 and 75–79, which indicates an absence of age-related changes in usual walk parameters. The Step/Quick Turn test did not detect any significant differences between the age groups either, thus pointing to the absence of changes in complex motor actions among women aged 75 years and older. The Tandem Walk test, however, showed increased average finite deviation of the center of pressure among women aged 75–79 years. The data obtained suggests a reduction of neurophysiological mechanisms providing movement coordination in old women. According to the Rhythmic Weight Shift test, 75–79-year-old women show changes in the quality of controlling their center of pressure in the frontal (2 %) and sagittal (10.4 %) directions. These changes produce an adverse effect on walking parameters and increase the risk of falls.

Keywords

computer stabilometry, elderly and senile women, walking, center of pressure

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