Citation

Korchi K, Noé F, Bru N, Paillard T. J. Aging Phys. Act. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-14.

Affiliation

Laboratoire Mouvement, Equilibre, Performance et Santé, EA 4445, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, Tarbes, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/japa.2018-0016

PMID

30676219

Abstract

Increasing somatosensory information from the foot by exercising barefoot can potentially optimize the effectiveness of physical exercise interventions on falls prevention in the older adults. This pilot study was then undertaken in order to explore the effects of increased somatosensory information from the foot by exercising barefoot on balance, gait and plantar cutaneous sensitivity in institutionalized older adults involved in multimodal exercise intervention. Participants were assigned to three groups: a control group which did not perform any physical exercise and two groups in which they were involved in a multimodal exercise program performed barefoot or shod. Postural, gait and plantar cutaneous sensitivity parameters were collected. The results showed that the exercise program produced larger effects on balance and plantar cutaneous sensitivity when exercises were performed barefoot, without any noticeable effect on gait. Hence barefoot exercising could be a relevant means to optimize the fall-prevention exercise programs in institutionalized older adults.

Language: en

Keywords

ageing; gait; multimodal exercise program; posture