@article{ref1,
title="Effect of uphill and downhill walking on walking performance in geriatric patients using a wheeled walker",
journal="Zeitschrift fur Gerontologie",
year="2016",
author="Lindemann, Ulrich and Schwenk, Michael and Schmitt, Syn and Weyrich, Michael and Schlicht, Wolfgang and Becker, Clemens",
volume="50",
number="6",
pages="483-487",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Wheeled walkers are recommended to improve walking performance in older persons and to encourage and assist participation in daily life. Nevertheless, using a wheeled walker can cause serious problems in the natural environment. This study aimed to compare uphill and downhill walking with walking level in geriatric patients using a wheeled walker. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of using a wheeled walker with respect to dual tasking when walking level. <br><br>METHODS: A total of 20 geriatric patients (median age 84.5 years) walked 10 m at their habitual pace along a level surface, uphill and downhill, with and without a standard wheeled walker. Gait speed, stride length and cadence were assessed by wearable sensors and the walk ratio was calculated. <br><br>RESULTS: When using a wheeled walker while walking level the walk ratio improved (0.58 m/[steps/min] versus 0.57 m/[steps/min], p = 0.023) but gait speed decreased (1.07 m/s versus 1.12 m/s, p = 0.020) when compared to not using a wheeled walker. With respect to the walk ratio, uphill and downhill walking with a wheeled walker decreased walking performance when compared to level walking (0.54 m/[steps/min] versus 0.58 m/[steps/min], p = 0.023 and 0.55 m/[steps/min] versus 0.58 m/[steps/min], p = 0.001, respectively). At the same time, gait speed decreased (0.079 m/s versus 1.07 m/s, p < 0.0001) or was unaffected. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The use of a wheeled walker improved the quality of level walking but the performance of uphill and downhill walking was worse compared to walking level when using a wheeled walker.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0044-281X",
doi="10.1007/s00391-016-1156-4",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00391-016-1156-4"
}