Biomechanics of forward momentum arrest when walking: Age and gender differences.
dc.contributor.author | Cao, Cheng | |
dc.contributor.advisor | Schultz, Albert B. | |
dc.contributor.advisor | Ashton-Miller, James A. | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2016-08-30T17:18:10Z | |
dc.date.available | 2016-08-30T17:18:10Z | |
dc.date.issued | 1996 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqm&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:9711933 | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42/129952 | |
dc.description.abstract | Abilities to arrest forward momentum suddenly when walking have significant implications in explaining falls and pedestrian related injuries. Experiments were specially designed to investigate age and gender effects on arrest forward momentum by turning and stopping suddenly. Healthy older adults were found to need longer available response time than healthy young adults in both tasks. Older females need longer available response time than older males. To turn suddenly, young females were found to need longer available response time than young males. The age and gender differences were examined through study of the kinematics of the whole body center of mass (CM). The longer time delays of older than young before braking contributed to most of the age differences. The weaker deceleration of females compared to males explains most of the gender differences, especially the gender differences among old. To further relate the CM kinematics to muscle strength and neurological reaction time, two multi-segment direct-dynamics, goal-driven models were constructed. By varying the joint strength, including rates of joint torque development and maximum torques, and neurological reaction time, the age differences appeared to arise from both the longer neurological reaction delays and the slower rates of joint torque development of old. Weaker joint strengths, especially of the ankle plantarflexors, were responsible for most of the gender differences among old. For the gender differences, both maximum joint torque and rate of torque development were found of importance. The effects of gait phase, number of steps used in momentum arrest and differences between stopping and turning were also examined. Age effects in increasing lateral momentum during turning were studied as well. It was concluded that the age declines in arresting forward momentum suddenly when walking are more pronounced among females than males. Three topics for future research were suggested. | |
dc.format.extent | 128 p. | |
dc.language | English | |
dc.language.iso | EN | |
dc.subject | Age Differences | |
dc.subject | Arrest | |
dc.subject | Biomechanics | |
dc.subject | Forward | |
dc.subject | Gender | |
dc.subject | Momentum | |
dc.subject | Walking | |
dc.title | Biomechanics of forward momentum arrest when walking: Age and gender differences. | |
dc.type | Thesis | |
dc.description.thesisdegreename | PhD | en_US |
dc.description.thesisdegreediscipline | Applied Sciences | |
dc.description.thesisdegreediscipline | Biomedical engineering | |
dc.description.thesisdegreediscipline | Gerontology | |
dc.description.thesisdegreediscipline | Mechanical engineering | |
dc.description.thesisdegreediscipline | Mechanics | |
dc.description.thesisdegreediscipline | Social Sciences | |
dc.description.thesisdegreegrantor | University of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies | |
dc.description.bitstreamurl | http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/129952/2/9711933.pdf | |
dc.owningcollname | Dissertations and Theses (Ph.D. and Master's) |
Files in this item
Remediation of Harmful Language
The University of Michigan Library aims to describe library materials in a way that respects the people and communities who create, use, and are represented in our collections. Report harmful or offensive language in catalog records, finding aids, or elsewhere in our collections anonymously through our metadata feedback form. More information at Remediation of Harmful Language.
Accessibility
If you are unable to use this file in its current format, please select the Contact Us link and we can modify it to make it more accessible to you.