Abstract des Autors

Gait analysis is an integral part of functional assessment in older adults and a routine clinical tool to treat patients of all ages who have pathology or disease related to sensory or motor function. No research has identified the number of steps or distances needed for acceleration (AC) or deceleration (DC) during walking. To recommend minimum walkway lengths it is necessary to determine: (a) the minimal AC and DC distances, (b) the number of steps needed to AC and DC, and (c) the steady state (SS) step distances that will accommodate a large percentage of walkers in selected age groups walking at selected speeds. The minimum walkway distance includes room to AC, the required distance for the number of steps selected for analysis, and distance to DC. The primary purpose of this study was to determine acceleration and deceleration distances that would accommodate young and older adults walking at their preferred and fast speeds. A secondary purpose was to determine the minimal walkway length needed to record six SS steps (three full gait cycles) for younger and older participants walking at SS preferred and fast speeds. Aus der Einführung (geändert)