Resumen

FABRICA, Carlos Gabriel et al. Evaluación del equilibrio durante la marcha a velocidad autoseleccionada en jóvenes saludables, adultos mayores no caedores y adultos mayores con alto riesgo de caídas. Rev. Méd. Urug. [online]. 2011, vol.27, n.3, pp.147-154. ISSN 1688-0390.

Summary Introduction: balance depends on keeping the projection of the center of body mass within the limits of the support basis, although its assessment is usually performed by means of cinematic variability. Objectives: to analyse balance during gait at a self-elected speed in three populations using different approaches. Method: the groups analysed were: healthy youngsters, elderly who do not fall and elderly who fall. We calculated speed, time variability, angle variability of knee and balance during gait cycles through a tridimensional cinematic analysis. To directly calculate balance we defined a variable considering the projection of the center of body mass. Results of the cinematic variables were compared between groups using ANOVA (a=0,05). Similarly we compared average, maximum and minimum values of the direct balance estimation between groups for simple support and double cycle stages. Results: cycle speed was similar in elderly persons. Time variability of cycle was low and angle variability was high in healthy youngsters, while these variables evidenced no difference between the elderly persons groups. During the simple support stage average and minimum balance values for the group of people who fall were significantly different if compared to the other groups. Conclusions: direct estimation of balance during the simple support stage appears as a potential tool to identify individuals with a risk of falls.

Palabras clave : POSTURAL BALANCE; GAIT; ACCIDENTAL FALLS.

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