Comparison of gait velocity and center of mass during square and semicircular turning gaits between groups of elderly people with differing visual acuity.
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate gait velocity and center of mass (COM) during square and semicircular turning gaits between two groups of elderly people with differing visual acuity. [Subjects] Twenty elderly Korean women who could walk independently and who lived in the community were recruited. [Methods] We measured gait velocity and COM using an accelerometer during two different turning gaits. [Results] The velocity during square and semicircular turning gaits of participants with good binocular visual acuity (GBVA) was significantly higher than that of participants with poor binocular visual acuity (PBVA). The COM during square and semicircular turning gaits of the GBVA group was significantly decreased compared with that of the PBVA group. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that visual acuity affects velocity and COM during square and semicircular turning gaits of elderly people.
Department of Rehabilitation Science, The Graduate School, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
Sun-Shil
SS
Shin
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
Duk-Hyun
DH
An
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inje University, Republic of Korea.
Won-Gyu
WG
Yoo
Center of mass; Turning gait; Visual acuity