title: Analysis of walker-aided walking by the healthy elderly with a walker pocket of different weights attached at different locations.
abstract: [Purpose] This study aims to provide information on safe walker-aided walking by analyzing elderly subjects' walking with a walker pocket of different weights attached at different locations. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty elderly right-handed males participated in the study, and a walking analyzer was used to examine their walking with a pocket attached to the left, center, and right side of the walker. The weight of the pocket was set at three levels relative to the average weight of the subject group: 0% (without pocket), 2.5% (2 kg), and 5.5% (4 kg). [Results] In terms of the pocket location, step width was the narrowest when the pocket was attached to the right side, while the other elements of walking did not change. In terms of the pocket weight, all elements of walking showed changes. A heavier pocket led to a shorter step length and stride, a greater step width, and longer time. [Conclusion] When elderly people use a pocket-attached walker, the pocket is recommended to be attached to the right side of the walker, and its weight should be kept under 5.5% of the user's weight to ensure safe walking.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School, Major in Occupational Therapy, Kangwon National University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eunji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Kangwon National University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byongjin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Kangwon National University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Bokyung
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Fire & Disaster Prevention, Major in Emergency Management, Kangwon National University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Minho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Kangwon National University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyolyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roh
keywords: Elderly; Walker pocket; Walker-aided walking