TY - JOUR PY - 2019// TI - Gait asymmetry assessment for older adults by measuring circular gait speed JO - Geriatrics and gerontology international A1 - Ichihashi, Noriaki A1 - Ikezoe, Tome A1 - Sato, Syunsuke A1 - Ibuki, Satoko SP - 736 EP - 739 VL - 19 IS - 8 N2 - AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the circular gait test as a method for detecting side-to-side straight-line gait asymmetry in older adults.

METHODS: A total of 25 healthy older adults and 20 healthy young adults participated in this study. Walking speeds, right- and left-leg step lengths, and stance durations were measured during straight-line walking using a triaxial accelerometer (G-walk from Bertec Japan). Step length and stance duration laterality were calculated using the side-to-side difference (|Left - Right|) and asymmetry index (|Left - Right| / mean right and left values × 100). For circular gait, the time required to walk twice around a 1-m diameter circle for right and left rotations was measured, and the laterality was calculated using the same formula as that described for the straight-line gait.

RESULTS: The results showed no differences in straight-line step length or stance duration laterality between groups. However, circular gait asymmetry was significantly higher for older participants. A significant correlation was confirmed between circular gait time and straight-line step length for older adults (r = 0.404).

CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that the circular gait test had better potential to detect age-related changes in gait laterality than straight-line gait step length or stance duration, and it might work as a simple assessment method for detecting laterality in straight-line walking. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; ••: ••-••.

© 2019 Japan Geriatrics Society.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1444-1586 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ggi.13691 ID - ref1 ER -