PNF and Movement

Korea Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Association (대한고유수용성신경근촉진법학회)
권호 표지

Comparison of Gait Characteristics in Young and Old Persons with GAITRite System Analysis

GAITRite 시스템 분석을 통한 젊은층과 노년층의 보행특성 비교

  • Hwang-bo, Gak (Dept. of Physical Therapy, Dongju College) ;
  • Jeong, Hak-young (Dept. of Physical Therapy, Dongju College) ;
  • Bae, Sung-soo (Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation science, Daegu University)
  • 황보각 (동주대학 물리치료과) ;
  • 정학영 (동주대학 물리치료과) ;
  • 배성수 (대구대학교 재활과학대학 물리치료학과)
  • Published : 2003.07.01
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Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the temporo-spatial gait characteristics of healthy young people with those of healthy elderly people. Methods: The data were collected by 40 volunteers. 20 subjects were between 20 and 31 years of age, and 20 subjects were between 65 and 84 years of age. Temporal and spatial parameters of gait were analysed for using the computerized GAITRite system. Results : The system integrates specific components of locomotion to provide a single, numerical representation of gait, the Functional Ambulation Performance score. Differences in gait characteristics between the two groups were examined using a correlated t-test(p<.05). Significant differences were observed between the groups for step length, step/extremity ratio and velocity. Young people demonstrated a significantly larger velocity, step length and step/extremity ratio than the elderly people. Conclusions: These results indicate that the GAITRite system can be useful in detecting footfall patterns and selected time and distance measurements of young and older persons. Additionaly, differences in walking velocity, step length and step/extremity ratio between old and young people may have influenced the gait characteristics measured.

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