Development in Late Adulthood
Development in Late Adulthood
“The study of changes in motor behavior over the lifespan, the processes that underlie these changes, and the factors that affect them.” (p. 3)
Falls outnumber all other accidents among the elderly population
Falls are due to a deterioration of balance associated with walking
Walking Patterns in Older Adulthood
Gait in older adulthood has been extensively investigated
Results
typically slumping head, shoulders, and trunk
less ankle extension
less pelvic rotation
greater hip extension
more time in double-support phase
more out-toeing
Walking Patterns in Older Adulthood
Similarities with early childhood locomotion
less ankle extension
longer double-support phase
shorter stride length
more out-toeing
Changes in walking velocity
young adults (1.4 m/s), 70+ men (1.2 m/s), 70+ women (1.1 m/s)
Changes in step height
step height decreases
due to decreased hip flexibility, not leg strength
Walking Patterns in Older Adulthood
Affects on Daily Living
increased risk of falling
decreased confidence
Examples
difficulty climbing or descending stairs
tripping over electrical cords, low furniture
fall on extra soft, uneven, or unstable surfaces
trouble getting in and out of chairs
when performing a simultaneous task, the risk of falling increases
Disabilities (PD, MS, stroke, arthritis) have similar impacts on walking in the elderly
Walking Patterns in Older Adulthood
Compensations
clearing paths of obstacles
lowering step heights
canes, walkers, handrails
proper footwear
focused attention on the walking task
awareness of side effects of drugs taken because of disabilities
practice
Walking Patterns in Older Adulthood
Affect of physical activity/practice on walking
increased strength
increased flexibility
increased confidence & decreased fear of falling
improvements specific to the activity performed
Flexibility
The ability to move joints through a full range of motion
Benefits maximal performance
Limited flexibility is a factor in injuries
One of the most obvious changes associated with advancing age is the loss of flexibility
Flexibility
Myth
young people are naturally supple and need no further flexibility training
Fact
flexibility begins to decline around 10 years of age
Flexibility
Two types of flexibility
Static
range of motion achieved by a slow and steady stretch to the limits of the joints involved
Dynamic
range of motion achieved when rapidly moving a body part to its limits
Assessing Flexibility
Flexibility is specific to each joint
A battery of tests is best for assessment
Most common test
sit and reach
measures hip and trunk flexibility
important in prevention of low back pain in adults
hip flexion declines 5 degrees each decade
Decreased Flexibility
Associated with decreased physical activity
Associated with disease
Begins to decline around 10 years of age
Greatest decline occurs after 50
The decline is faster in males
Flexibility in Older Adulthood
Decrease in range of motion is due to less resilient tendons, ligaments, & muscles
Shoulder joint flexibility begins to mildly decrease at approximately 10 years of age
Decline is more rapid after age 50
this is due to prolonged inactivity, injury, or everyday wear and tear
Osteoarthritis also contributes to loss of joint range of motion in 2/3 of adults between 55 and 65 years of age
Flexibility in Older Adulthood
Affect on Activities of Daily Living
difficulty getting in and out of cars
difficulty getting clothes on and off
difficulty with fine motor skills such as writing
difficulty climbing and descending stairs
difficulty turning to see objects that are behind
difficulty getting in and out of chairs
Flexibility in Older Adulthood
Positive Affect of Physical Activity
Rikli & Busch, 1986
active and inactive, young and old females
older active subjects performed better than inactive counterparts of the same age
older active displayed greater flexibility than the young inactive group
Munns, 1981
exercise and normal activity group
exercising group better in all 6 flexibility measures (neck, hip, shoulder, wrist, knee, ankle, and back)
Flexibility in Older Adulthood
Physical activity is necessary to maintain or improve joint flexibility
The improvement in flexibility is specific to the joint/joints used during the activity
in other words, flexibility will only improve if the joints used
A comprehensive flexibility improvement plan requires a variety of flexibility exercises to improve the range of motion of the major joints in the body (neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, trunk, hips, knees, and ankles)
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