Relationship between the obstacle height cognition and step movement in the elderly.
BACKGROUND
This study examines the effect of obstacle height cognition (OHC) on single-leg forward step (SFS) and Obstacle-SFS.


METHODS
In the SFS test, participants stepped 25 cm forward with one leg and returned it to its original position five times as quickly as possible. The Obstacle-SFS added an obstacle to the above condition in the SFS test. The participants were divided into two groups: tripping group, which tripped over an obstacle in the Obstacle-SFS test; and non-tripping group, which did not trip. Parameters were step time (T), the time it took to step forward (F), and the time it took to return to the original position (R). The OHC was determined by the difference between the elevated leg's height and the obstacle height (10 cm), which was set at 60 cm in front of the participant.


RESULTS
OHC showed a significant and moderate relationship with all parameters of Obstacle-SFS (OSFS-T, OSFS-F and OSFS-R). The tripping group had significantly larger values in the OHC, OSFS-T and OSFS-F than the non-tripping group.


CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the differences in obstacle height cognition ability may affect Obstacle-SFS movement.
Department of Sports Medicine and Sports Science, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu City, 501-1194, Japan. sohee@gifu-u.ac.jp
Sohee
S
Shin
Shinichi
S
Demura
Tsuneo
T
Watanabe
Haruka
H
Kawabata
Hiroki
H
Sugiura
Toshio
T
Matsuoka
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*