Nagano, H, Sparrow, William A and Begg, Rezaul ORCID: 0000-0002-3195-8591 (2014) Ageing Effects on Vertical Lower Body Centre of Mass Control. In: 13th International Symposium on 3D Analysis of Human Movement (3D-AHM), 14 July 2014-17 July 2014, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland.

Abstract

Falling is a significant health risk for older adults due to ageing-related declines in the neuromuscular control of walking that compromise balance. To avoid falling balance must be recovered before the body falls below a critical height. In this research characteristics of vertical balance based on the lower body centre of mass (COMlower) were examined across four key events (toeoff, heel contact, the highest and lowest COMlower locations). Seven young (18-35 yrs.) and 7 healthy older (> 60 yrs.) males participated in gait testing. Height of greater trochanter and COMlower and knee angles were compared between the two age groups. Older adults showed reduced vertical height of COMlower and greater trochanter than young adults. The stance limb’s knee extension was found to be moderately effective in increasing COMlower height; knee extension is, therefore, necessary to prevent the body from falling in the case of balance loss.

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