EFFECT OF FITNESS LEVEL ON FORCE IMPULSE PATTERNS DURING OBSTRUCTED AND UNOBSTRUCTED WALKING IN ELDER FEMALES

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fitness on foot-ground reaction forces during obstructed walking, by comparing two groups of fit females differing on their age. The gait of ten fit elderly women and the gait of ten skilled young female were analyzed with a two force-platforms system during an unobstructed walking and when stepping on and off a raised surface. The results suggest that older subjects with a high fitness score possess GRF patterns similar to youngsters during unobstructed walking. It can be concluded that senior slep exercise programs are capable to improve gait stability in the elderly but this positive effect is lessened in the case of more demanding walking tasks. Stepping off was particularly affected in the elderly and in the future this should be taken into account in the development of senior step exercise programs.