Substantiating Appropriate Motion Capture Techniques for the Assessment of Nordic Walking Gait and Posture in Older Adults

Summary

The aim was to substantiate optimal use of data collection techniques for Nordic walking gait and posture analysis. Three-dimensional motion capture should be used during short duration analysis (i.e. single gait cycle), while accelerometry should be employed for longer duration analysis (i.e. repeated cycles) like a 6 Minute Walk Test.

Abstract

Nordic walking (NW) has become a safe and simple form of exercise in recent years, and in studying this gait pattern, various data collection techniques have been employed, each with positives and negatives. The aim was to determine the effect of NW on older adult gait and posture and to determine optimal use of different data collection systems in both short and long duration analysis. Gait and posture during NW and normal walking were assessed in 17 healthy older adults (age: 69 ± 7.3). Participants performed two trials of 6 Minute Walk Tests (6MWT) (1 with poles (WP) and 1 without poles (NP)) and 6 trials of a 5m walk (3 WP and 3 NP). Motion was recorded using two systems, a 6-sensor accelerometry system and an 8-camera 3-dimensional motion capture system, in order to quantify spatial-temporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters.

With both systems, participants demonstrated increased stride length and double support and decreased gait speed and cadence WP compared to NP (p <0.05). Also, with motion capture, larger single support time was found WP (p <0.05). With 3-D capture, smaller hip power generation and moments of force were found at heel contact and pre-swing as well as smaller knee power absorption at heel contact, pre-swing, and terminal swing WP compared to NP, when assessed over one cycle (p <0.05). Also, WP yielded smaller moments of force at heel contact and terminal swing along with larger moments at mid-stance of a gait cycle (p <0.05). No changes were found for posture.

NW seems appropriate for promoting a normal gait pattern in older adults. Three-dimensional motion capture should primarily be used during short duration gait analysis (i.e. single gait cycle), while accelerometry systems should be primarily employed in instances requiring longer duration analysis such as during the 6MWT.

Introduction

Nordic walking (NW) is regarded as a simple and safe form of fitness walking using specially designed poles¹. It is suggested that poles provide added stability, improve posture, and reduce joint stress of the lower extremities. However, limited or contradictory evidence exists regarding joint loading and postural alignment. On one hand, Schwameder et al.², Willson et al.³, and Koizumi et al.⁴ report improvements in kinematic measures and/or reductions in ground reaction, compression, and shear forces with their pole walking studies. On the other hand, declining kinematic measures and increased joi....

Protocol

This study was performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Research Ethics Board of the University of Ottawa.

1. Screening Procedure

1. Provide side show presentations to local area walking groups and post recruitment posters at community centers and public facilities in order to recruit a group of active, community-dwelling older adults.
2. Upon initial visit, first greet the participants, introduce them to the laboratory, and provide them time to change into appropriate attire (i.e. shorts, t-shirt, and running shoes). Once ready, provide each participant with an in-depth study description, obtain written informed consent, and ....

Results

Spatial-Temporal Gait Parameters

When walking with Nordic walking poles and assessed using motion capture and force plates, stride length (p <0.01), double support time (p <0.001), and single support time (p <0.001) are all significantly longer compared to walking without poles. In addition, gait speed (p <0.05) is significantly slower and cadence (p <0.001) is significantly smaller with poles compared to without .......

Discussion

The importance of maintaining consistency in terms of pole use is critical within this protocol. Particularly, appropriate steps for proper poling technique as well as proper pole set up are important to maintain consistency across different studies. Therefore the guidelines and instructions of a specific Nordic walking organization should be adhered to for protocols such as this. Additionally and particularly when using accelerometry, use of a full body set of tri-axial monitors is important to obtain a complete underst.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Nordic walking poles	Nordixx Canada	Nordixx Global Traveler or Walker	Alternative poles may be used
APDM accelerometry system	APDM	Opal system	Alternative systems may be used
Vicon motion capture system	Vicon		Alternative systems may be used
Kistler force platforms	Kistler		Alternative platforms may be used
Vicon Nexus & Polygon	Vicon		Used in data analysis
14 mm reflective markers	Vicon		Number or markers depends on model
Tape measure
Weight scale
Caliper