The influence of lower extremity joint torque on gait characteristics in elderly men.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relation between certain lower extremity isokinetic muscle torque capabilities and selected stride characteristics for a group of elderly, sedentary men.


METHODS
Descriptive analysis of convenience sample.


METHODS
Veterans Administration (VA) ambulatory care center.


METHODS
Eighty-one elderly men, capable of independent ambulation, were recruited from outpatient clinics and the local community (mean age, 74.7yr).


METHODS
Maximal isokinetic torque in the sagittal plane of hip, knee, and ankle muscles; stride characteristics of speed, stride length, and cadence recorded during walking at a self-selected velocity.


RESULTS
Stepwise regression analysis revealed that hip extension torque was the only significant independent predictor for free walking speed, stride length, and cadence, and accounted for 37% (r = .611), 35% (r = .590), and 12% (r = .341) of the total variance, respectively. Other joint torques correlated with gait parameters but did not add significantly to the multivariate model.


CONCLUSIONS
Hip extension torque was the only significant independent predictor for free walking velocity, stride length, and cadence in this group. These results support the idea that strengthening the hip extensors may improve stride characteristics in elderly individuals.
Burnfield
J M
JM
Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
Josephson
K R
KR
Powers
C M
CM
Rubenstein
L Z
LZ
D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D019415:Torque