Citation

Maslivec A, Bampouras TM, Dewhurst S, Vannozzi G, Macaluso A, Laudani L. J. Electromyogr. Kinesiol. 2017; 38: 103-110.

Affiliation

Active Ageing Research Group, Medical and Sports Sciences, University of Cumbria, United Kingdom; Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Italy; Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jelekin.2017.11.010

PMID

29195138

Abstract

Decreased head stability has been reported in older women during locomotor transitions such as the initiation of gait. The aim of the study was to investigate the neuro-mechanical mechanisms underpinning head stabilisation in young and older women during gait initiation. Eleven young (23.1 ± 1.1 yrs) and 12 older (73.9 ± 2.4 yrs) women initiated walking at comfortable speed while focussing on a fixed visual target at eye level. A stereophotogrammetric system was used to assess variability of angular displacement and RMS acceleration of the pelvis, trunk and head, and dynamic stability in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions. Latency of muscle activation in the sternocleidomastoid, and upper and lower trunk muscles were determined by surface electromyography. Older displayed higher variability of head angular displacement, and a decreased ability to attenuate accelerations from trunk to head, compared to young in the anteroposterior but not mediolateral direction. Moreover, older displayed a delayed onset of sternocleidomastoid activation than young. In conclusion, the age-related decrease in head stability could be attributed to an impaired ability to attenuate accelerations from trunk to head along with delayed onset of neck muscles activation.

Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Acceleration; Balance; Electromyography; Fall risk; Movement variability