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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