Neuromuscular Challenge in the Elderly during Locomotion: an Emg Study

Skeletal muscle strength is known to decline with age (Fiatarone, 1993). As an intrinsic risk factor contributing to falls, lower extremity (LE) muscle strength is a critical component in limiting an elderly individual’s dynamic stability (Buchner, 1991; Brown , 1995). It has been reported that fallers demonstrated only 37% of the knee extensor strength, and 10% of the ankle plantar flexor strength exhibited by their non-falling peers (Whipple, 1987). Although these findings infer that muscular weakness contributes to fall ing, only one study has reported the relative challenges posed to LE musculature during activities of daily living (Bus, 2001). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of age and obstacle crossing on relative neuromuscular challenge. It was hypothesized that healthy elderly adults would require a greater proportion of their neuromuscular capacity during level walking and while crossing obstacles.