Abstract
Our goal was to determine how age and walking speed affect metabolic cost of walking (Cw), lower, extremity antagonist coactivation, and relationships between coactivation and Cw in healthy, active, individuals. Fourteen young (25 ± 3 years) and 14 older (71 ± 4 years) participants walked on a treadmill at, four speeds (0.89, 1.12, 1.34, and 1.57 m s-1) while electromyography (EMG) and oxygen consumption, were measured. Coactivation indices were calculated for musculature about the thigh and shank. Cw, was higher in older adults across all speeds (p < 0.001). Coactivation about the thigh was also higher in, older adults (p < 0.001), whereas coactivation about the shank was not different between age groups (p = 0.60). Total coactivation (thigh coactivation plus shank coactivation) showed significant positive, relationships to Cw at all walking speeds (r = 0.46-0.57). Higher Cw and coactivation in older adults, along with the positive relationship between Cw and coactivation implies coactivation contributes to, higher Cw of older adults.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 355-359 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Gait and Posture |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Biomechanics
- Coactivation
- Economy
- Elderly
- Gait
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation