title: An exploratory investigation of changes in gait parameters with age in elderly Japanese women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to identify gait parameters in elderly Japanese women. 30 elderly women (65-74.9 years old) and 19 very elderly women (≥75 years old) participated in this study. A 3-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system was used to collect kinematic data, and a total of 70 gait parameters were analysed. Gait parameters included basic gait parameters, gait cycle parameters, and joints angle parameters, as well as angular velocity parameters, such as peak velocity and timing at the hip, knee, and ankle joints.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results indicated that basic gait parameters, such as the gait cycle, peak joint angle timing, and angular velocity parameters, significantly differ between elderly and very elderly women. Delayed peak joint angle timing and angular velocity parameters occurred during critical phases throughout the gait cycle: pre-swing, initial swing, and terminal swing phases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several gait parameters exhibited significant differences between elderly and very elderly women. The timing of the peak joint angle and angular velocity parameters are primary characteristics defining gait changes in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Science, Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Irma Nur
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Afiah
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Science, Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakashima
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Science, Graduate School of Design, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan ; Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ping Yeap
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Science, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muraki
keywords: Aging; Elderly Japanese women; Gait characteristics; Walking motion