3D KINEMATICS OF GAIT PATTERN IN ACTIVE ELDERLY MEN

Abstract

Gait is one of the most important means for the maintenance of an independent life and gait pattern (GP) seems to be associated with falls and, therefore, with the quality of life in the elderly. On the other side, exercise is associated with the maintenance of the physical function and quality of life. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to determine if moderate/vigorous exercise could retain GP with aging. The sample had two groups of subjects: one of five young males (21.8 (0.45) y) and the other of three old males (69.3 (8.4) y). Kinematics data were determined and compared between groups. No significant differences were found between the groups and therefore exercise practise seems to maintain GP trough aging. However, these results should be seen in a conservative way due to the small number of participants of this study.