TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Ankle proprioception associated gait patterns in older adults: results from the BLSA
JO  - Medicine and science in sports and exercise
A1  - Ko, Seung-Uk
A1  - Simonsick, Eleanor M.
A1  - Despande, Nandini
A1  - Studenski, Stephanie
A1  - Ferrucci, Luigi
SP  - 2190
EP  - 2194
VL  - 48
IS  - 11
N2  - INTRODUCTION: Ankle proprioception training has been found to improve balance-related gait disorders; yet, the relationship between ankle proprioception and specific gait patterns in older adults with and without impaired balance has not been systematically examined. <br><br>METHODS: This study characterizes gait patterns of 230 older adults aged 60 - 95 evaluated in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) gait laboratory with (n=82) and without impaired balance (inability to successfully complete a narrow walk) and examines ankle proprioception performance. <br><br>RESULTS: Participants with impaired balance had a higher angle threshold for perceiving ankle movement than those without impaired balance even after controlling for the substantial age difference between groups (p = 0.017). Gait speed, stride length, hip and ankle range of motion and mechanical work expenditure from the knee and ankle were associated with ankle proprioception performance (p < 0.050 for all) in the full sample, but in stratified analysis these associations were evident only in participants with impaired balance. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Ankle proprioception in older persons with balance impairment may play a role in balance related gait disorders and should be targeted for intervention.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0195-9131
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001017
ID  - ref1
ER  -