Lower-limb muscle function during walking in healthy young and older adults

© 2016 Dr. Yoong Ping LimThe ability of older adults to walk independently is instrumental for their integration into the general community without feeling isolated and vulnerable. More importantly, falls in the elderly population is a significant public health issue. Research on walking biomechanics in older adults is crucial for a better understanding of the factors responsible for falls. Unfortunately, there are various fundamental questions on walking biomechanics in older adults that remain unclear. This dissertation addresses three fundamental research questions related to the walking biomechanics of healthy young and older people. (1) Does lower-limb muscle function differ in healthy young and older adults when both groups walk at the same speed?; (2) Does walking speed affect lower-limb muscle function in healthy individuals?; and (3) How do step length and step frequency affect lower-limb muscle function during gait? Conventional 3D gait analysis was combined with musculoskeletal computer modelling techniques to determine lower-limb muscle function during walking in healthy young and older adults. The model simulation results were analysed to determine the contributions of individual muscles and lower-limb posture to vertical support, forward progression and mediolateral balance during gait. These results provide insight into the gait biomechanics of older adults, and may assist in the design of targeted muscle-strengthening exercises to improve support and balance in those at risk of falling