Impaired step up/over in persons with Parkinson's disease.
This study explored the functional movement task of stepping up and over an obstacle in individuals with Parkinson's disease to their aged-matched controls. Ten participants with Parkinson's disease and 10 aged matched participants were assessed on the Step Up/Over task completed on a NeuroCom EquiTest long forceplate and analyzed using Group MANOVAs. The results indicate that individuals with Parkinson's disease produce less lifting force and exhibited an increased time to complete the task of stepping up and over an object when compared with their aged matched peers. Considering the substantial risk of falls demonstrated in this population these preliminary finding demonstrate the need for interventions aimed at improving this component of function.
Nocera
Joe R
JR
Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Horvat
Michael
M
Ray
Christopher T
CT
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001259:Ataxia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology