Age differences in anticipatory and executory mechanisms of gait initiation following unexpected balance perturbations
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Age differences in anticipatory and executory mechanisms of gait initiation following unexpected balance perturbations Luca Laudani1 · Lorenzo Rum1,2 · Maria Stella Valle3 · Andrea Macaluso2 · Giuseppe Vannozzi2 · Antonino Casabona3 Received: 17 April 2020 / Accepted: 12 October 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Purpose An age-related decline in anticipatory postural mechanisms has been reported during gait initiation; however, it is unclear whether such decline may jeopardize whole-body stability following unexpected balance perturbations. This study aimed to compare young and older individuals’ ability to generate postural responses and preserve stability in response to external waist perturbations delivered within gait initiation. Methods Ten young and ten older participants performed 10 gait initiation trials followed by 48 unperturbed and 12 perturbed trials in a random order. A stereophotogrammetric system and three force platforms were used to quantify mechanical parameters from the preparatory phase (e.g., timing and amplitude of postural adjustments) and from the stepping phase (e.g., step characteristics and dynamic stability). Activation patterns of lower leg muscles were determined by surface electromyography. Results Older participants responded to perturbation with lower increase in both magnitude (p
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