Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38684085›Full record

Observational studyJMIR research protocols2024

Gait Features in Different Environments Contributing to Participation in Outdoor Activities in Old Age (GaitAge): Protocol for an Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

Merja Rantakokko, Emmi Matikainen-Tervola, Eeva Aartolahti, Sanna Sihvonen, Julija Chichaeva, Taija Finni, Neil Cronin

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in JMIR research protocols, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Merja RantakokkoFaculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Gerontology Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.ORCID 0000-0003-3546-1600
Emmi Matikainen-TervolaInstitute of Rehabilitation, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-2463-4433
Eeva AartolahtiInstitute of Rehabilitation, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland.ORCID 0000-0003-2938-926X
Sanna SihvonenInstitute of Rehabilitation, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland.ORCID 0000-0001-8002-3517
Julija ChichaevaInstitute of Rehabilitation, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-2390-0947
Taija FinniFaculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Neuromuscular Research Centre, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-7697-2813
Neil CroninFaculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Neuromuscular Research Centre, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-5332-1188

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe ability to walk is a key issue for independent old age. Optimizing older peoples' opportunities for an autonomous and active life and reducing health disparities requires a better understanding of how to support independent mobility in older people. With increasing age, changes in gait parameters such as step length and cadence are common and have been shown to increase the risk of mobility decline. However, gait assessments are typically based on laboratory measures, even though walking in a laboratory environment may be significantly different from walking in outdoor environments.

objectiveThis project will study alterations in biomechanical features of gait by comparing walking on a treadmill in a laboratory, level outdoor, and hilly outdoor environments. In addition, we will study the possible contribution of changes in gait between these environments to outdoor mobility among older people.

methodsParticipants of the study were recruited through senior organizations of Central Finland and the University of the Third Age, Jyväskylä. Inclusion criteria were community-dwelling, aged 70 years and older, able to walk at least 1 km without assistive devices, able to communicate, and living in central Finland. Exclusion criteria were the use of mobility devices, severe sensory deficit (vision and hearing), memory impairment (Mini-Mental State Examination ≤23), and neurological conditions (eg, stroke, Parkinson disease, and multiple sclerosis). The study protocol included 2 research visits. First, indoor measurements were conducted, including interviews (participation, health, and demographics), physical performance tests (short physical performance battery and Timed Up and Go), and motion analysis on a treadmill in the laboratory (3D Vicon and next-generation inertial measurement units [NGIMUs]). Second, outdoor walking tests were conducted, including walking on level (sports track) and hilly (uphill and downhill) terrain, while movement was monitored via NGIMUs, pressure insoles, heart rate, and video data.

resultsA total of 40 people (n=26, 65% women; mean age 76.3, SD 5.45 years) met the inclusion criteria and took part in the study. Data collection took place between May and September 2022. The first result is expected to be published in the spring of 2024.

conclusionsThis multidisciplinary study will provide new scientific knowledge about how gait biomechanics are altered in varied environments, and how this influences opportunities to participate in outdoor activities for older people. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR1-10.2196/52898.

Indexed as

GaitAgedAged, 80 and overBiomechanical PhenomenaCross-Sectional StudiesEnvironmentFemaleFinlandHumansIndependent LivingMaleWalkingactivitiesactivityageingaginganalysis of walkassessmentassessmentsbiomechanicbiomechanicselderelderlyenvironmentfree livinggaitGaitAgegeriatricgeriatricsgerontologyhealth disparitieshealth disparityinterviewinterviewskinematicsmovement analysisobservational cross-sectional studyolder adultolder adultsolder peopleolder personoutdoorphysical testphysical testsposturespatiotemporalwalking

Identifiers

PMID38684085
PMCPMC11091809

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.