Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Education, São Paulo
State University, Rio Claro, Brazil | [b] Department of Physical Therapy, São Paulo State
University, Presidente Prudente, Brazil | [c] Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational
Therapy, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil
Note: [] Corresponding author: Nise Ribeiro Marques, Departamento de
Educação Física, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Avenida
24-A, 1515, Bela Vista, CEP: 13506-900, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil. E-mail:
nisermarques@yahoo.com.br
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Age-related loss in lower limb strength is related with
impaired mobility. However, the association between decreased lower limb
strength and gait biomechanical abnormalities is unclear. %In line with this,
With respect to these statements, our study aimed to compare the maximum
isokinetic voluntary strength (MIVS) of hip, knee and ankle of older women with
and without history of falls. Also, we correlate the strength of each group
with gait biomechanics. METHODS: The MIVS were assessed during concentric/concentric
movements performed for hip, knee and ankle joints. Gait biomechanics
(kinematic and electromyography) were assessed during 1-minute recorded during
the volunteers walking on the treadmill at self-selected speed.
Electromyographic signal was analyzed by the linear envelop after heel strike
and before toe-off. The kinematic data were analyzed using the variables: step
time, length and step width and ankle angle at heel strike, and hip angle at
toe-off. RESULTS: In faller group, we found that a decreased hip abduction
and adduction MIVS is associated with a higher tibialis anterior activation at
initial stance (p =0.04 and r =−0.53 and p=0.04 and r=−0.52). CONCLUSION: Therefore, an impaired strength of hip could causes
compensation in ankle stabilizer muscles activation at initial stance in older
female fallers.
Keywords: Aging, fall risk, torque, EMG, kinematic, walking
