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Gait Stability in Older Adults During Level-Ground Walking: The Attentional Focus Approach

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  • Toby C T Mak
  • William R Young
  • Debbie C L Chan
  • Thomson W L Wong
  • Nicole Anderson

Abstract

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to investigate the effect of attentional focus instructions on gait stability during level-ground walking among older adults.MethodsWe recruited 140 community-dwelling older adults (mean age = 70.3 years, SD = 4.7 years) from elderly community centers in Hong Kong. The experiment included assessments on participant’s characteristics and walking trials. During walking trials, each participant was invited to walk at a self-selected pace along a 6-m walkway. Internal focus instructions (Internal condition), external focus instructions (External condition), or no instruction (Control condition) were given in a randomized order for three trials per condition, giving a total of nine walking trials. Spatial and temporal gait parameters were measured.ResultsResults showed significantly higher body sway and variability of swing and stance time under Internal condition relative to External and Control conditions. Moreover, reduced velocity and shorter steps were demonstrated under Internal condition relative to External and Control conditions.DiscussionExternal focus instructions did not improve gait stability in older adults when compared to Control condition. Internal focus instructions appear to compromise gait stability. Future research should investigate if walking instructions that refer to body movements explicitly compromise gait rehabilitation for older adults in clinical settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Toby C T Mak & William R Young & Debbie C L Chan & Thomson W L Wong & Nicole Anderson, 2020. "Gait Stability in Older Adults During Level-Ground Walking: The Attentional Focus Approach," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 75(2), pages 274-281.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:75:y:2020:i:2:p:274-281.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gby115
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    Cited by:

    1. Lisa Musculus & Noel Kinrade & Sylvain Laborde & Melina Gleißert & Miriam Streich & Babett Helen Lobinger, 2021. "Movement-Specific Reinvestment in Older People Explains Past Falls and Predicts Future Error-Prone Movements," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-11, May.
    2. Ting Ting Chen & Toby C. T. Mak & Shamay S. M. Ng & Thomson W. L. Wong, 2023. "Attentional Focus Strategies to Improve Motor Performance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-24, February.

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