title: Effects of regular exercise and dual tasking on spatial and temporal parameters of obstacle negotiation in elderly women.
abstract: This study investigated the effects of regular exercise and dual tasking on bilateral spatial and temporal parameters of obstacle negotiation in elderly women. Sedentary (n=12) and physically active (n=12) elderly women volunteered to participate in this study. Gait kinematics were recorded during obstacle crossing when performing a dual task and when not performing a dual task. Physically active participants crossed obstacles more safely, in terms of clearance or distance to or over the obstacle, both with and without dual tasking, and usually for both lead and trail legs. Performing the dual task increased toe distance, and decreased heel distance and gait speed in the active participants, and increased toe clearance and heel distance, and decreased gait speed in the sedentary participants. Differences between preferred and non-preferred leg were accentuated for toe clearance in the lead limb. These results suggest that specialized exercises may not be needed for improvement in obstacle avoidance skills in the elderly, and participation in multi-activities, including aerobic exercises, may be sufficient.
authors.affiliation: Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil; Exercise Research Laboratory, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Guadagnin
authors.affiliation: Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil; Laboratory of Biomechanics, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: da Rocha
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biomechanics, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.affiliation: Applied Neuromechanics Research Group, Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil; Laboratory of Biomechanics, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: carpes@unipampa.edu.br.
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Carpes
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D012449:Safety; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Aging; Falls; Leg asymmetries; Physical exercise; Toe clearance