title: Effects of aging and perturbation intensities on temporal parameters during slipping-like perturbations.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the modifications of temporal parameters during slipping-like perturbations associated both with aging and perturbation intensities. Twelve participants equally distributed from two age groups (elderly and young) were recorded while, during steady locomotion, managing unexpected slipping-like perturbations, in forward direction, at different intensity and amplitude of foot shift. Two metrics were extrapolated from the analysis of the ground reaction force supplied by ad hoc platform aimed at destabilizing the balance control. The results indicated that the analyzed timing variables, both for elderly and young, are strongly modified by intensity of the perturbation, but only slight altered by the amplitude. Concerning the comparison about the two groups, elderly people seem to have slower reactive response than young subjects. These findings support further investigations in order to gain a better understanding of fall dynamics in elderly people.
authors.forename: Peppino
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tropea
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martelli
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aprigliano
authors.forename: Silvestro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Micera
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Monaco
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*