Impact of different types of walking aids on the physiological energy cost during gait for elderly individuals with several pathologies and dependent on a technical aid for walking

AbstractIn elderly individuals balance disorders and muscle weakness can lead to prescribing a walker. There are several different models. According to the very poor effort tolerance in this population, the energy cost necessary to operate walking technical aids should be taken into account when making a choice.ObjectiveCompare two types of walker in regards to energy cost produced during gait in weakened elderly individuals.MethodThirty subjects over the age of 65 (six men and 24 women, mean age 81.9 years) were admitted in geriatrics care. They all required a walker and performed the same 10-m course with a fixed walker, then with a model bearing front wheels. The walking speed (S) was computed, heart rate at rest (HRrest) and maximum heart rate (HRmax) were recorded during the test. The physiological cost index (PCI=HRmax−HRrest/S) was calculated. Finally a timed get-up-and-go (TGUG) test was performed with each of these technical aids.ResultsWith a rollator walker, HRmax was lower (P<0.05) and S higher (P<0.001). It was 2.01 with a fixed walker versus 1.23 with a rollator walker (P