Toe clearance and velocity profiles of young and elderly during walking on sloped surfaces

Abstract

Background. Most falls in older adults are reported during locomotion and tripping has been identified as a major cause of falls. Challenging environments (e.g., walking on slopes) are potential interventions for maintaining balance and gait skills. The aims of this study were: 1) to investigate whether or not distributions of two important gait variables [minimum toe clearance (MTC) and foot velocity at MTC (VelMTC)] and locomotor control strategies are altered during walking on sloped surfaces, and 2) if altered, are they maintained at two groups (young and elderly female groups). Methods. MTC and VelMTCdata during walking on a treadmill at sloped surfaces (+3°, 0° and -3°) were analysed f..