[Purpose] To evaluate the effect of bilateral lower limb strengthening designed to improve balance and walking in stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty hemiparetic stroke patients were divided into two groups: a unilateral therapy group (UTG) (n=10) and a bilateral therapy group (BTG) (n=10). The UTG completed strength training only in the paretic lower limb. The BTG completed strength...

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a clinical tool widely used to evaluate balance and mobility, e.g. in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This test includes a sequence of functional activities, namely: sit-to-stand, 3-meters walk, 180° turning, walk back, and turn-to-sit. The work introduces a new method to instrument the TUG test using a wearable inertial sensor unit (DynaPort Hybrid, McRoberts B.V., ...

objectives: the main goal of this studywas to determine the ability of elderly adults abstract to selectively allocate attentional demands on walking during secondary motor and cognitive tasks. methods and materials: in this prospective three factors mixed design, 33 elderly adultswithout a history of falls and 23 elderly adults with a history of falls were asked to performtimed up and go test ...

BACKGROUND The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is quick and easy tests to assess patients' functional mobility. However, its reliability in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) has not been well established. The aims of this study were to determine the reliability and minimal detectable change of the TUG test in individuals with doubtful to moderate (Grade 1-3) knee OA. METHODS Sixty-five sub...

BACKGROUND Walking across unstable surfaces disturbs normal stability and efficient strategies must be used to avoid falls. This study identified age-related changes in gait during unstable surface walking. METHOD Eight healthy younger-old adults (YOG, mean age, 68.6 years) and eight healthy older-old adults (OOG, mean age, 82.1 years) were assessed. Both groups performed the Timed Up and Go ...

The Old Kladruber horse is an important Czech genetic resource. In the current study, two categories of traits were evaluated – the first, a numerical score for Type and Gender Expression and the second, 11 traits describing performance divided into four categories: (1) Rideability (Overall Impression, Rideability), (2) Gaits (Walk, Trot, Canter), (3) Carriage Drivability (Dressage Test, Obstac...

This study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Hebrew version of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI). Fifty-five older adults (mean age 79.7 +/– 5.2) participated. We calculated test-retest reliability with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Partial correlations determined the construct validity with a balance measure (Berg Balance Scale [BBS]) and a mobi...

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among hearing loss, cognition, and balance ability in elderly individuals. [Subjects and Methods] In total, 46 elderly individuals over 65 years of age who were attending senior welfare centers participated in this study. Through a hearing test, the speech frequency pure tone average in the better ear was checked. We set a c...

PURPOSE Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) successfully reduces pain, but has not achieved comparable improvements in function. We hypothesized that quadriceps strength affects performance by altering loading and movement patterns during functional tasks. METHODS Fourteen subjects with isolated, unilateral TKA were tested three months after surgery. Quadriceps strength was assessed isometrically a...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of a home-based balance training programme using visual feedback (Nintendo Wii Fit game with balance board) on balance and functional abilities in subjects with Parkinson's disease, and to compare the effects with a group of paired healthy subjects. SUBJECTS Ten subjects with moderate Parkinson's disease and 8 healthy elderly subjects. METHODS Subjects par...