Strength Asymmetry Increases Gait Asymmetry and Variability in Older Women

• DOI: 10.1249/mss.0b013e31825e1d31
• Publication Date: 2012-05-22T08:24:00Z
• Authors: DAIN P. LAROCHE; SUMMER B. COOK; KRZYSZTOF MACKALA
• Keywords: Treadmill; Coefficient of variation

The aim of the research was to determine how knee extensor strength asymmetry influences gait and variability because these parameters have been related mobility falls in older adults.Strength extensors measured 24 women (65-80 yr). Subjects were separated into symmetrical (SS, n = 13) asymmetrical (SA, 11) groups using an cutoff 20%. walked at a standard speed 0.8 m·s maximal on instrumented treadmill while kinetic spatiotemporal variables measured. Gait calculated as percentage difference between legs coefficient variation over 20 sequential steps.SA had greater (27.4% ± 5.5%) than SS (11.7% 5.4%, P < 0.001). Averaged across speeds, SA single- (7.1% vs. 2.5%) double-limb support time (7.0% 4.3%) single-limb (9.7% 6.6%, all 0.05). Group × interactions occurred for weight acceptance force (P 0.02) 0.017) with (5.0% 2.4% 3.7% 1.2%) (6.4% 5.3% 2.5% 2.3%).Gait are increase when they walk near their capacities. maintenance symmetry, or development symmetry through unilateral exercise, may be beneficial reducing asymmetry, variability, fall risk adults.