TITLE:
Age-Related Differences in Coupling of Toe and Center of Pressure during the One-Legged Stance
AUTHORS:
Yoichiro Sato, Akito Kawaguchi
KEYWORDS:
One-Legged Stance, Coordination, Coupling, Toe, Older
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Aging Research,
Vol.11 No.5,
September
13,
2022
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the coupling of
the center of pressure (COP) movement and toes in older adults during
one-legged standing (OLS). Participants were community dwelling older and
younger adults. Toe vertical force during
the OLS was recorded using a plantar-pressure distribution system, and
the vertical forces in the hallux, little toe, and the first and fifth metatarsophalangeal (MP) joints were analyzed. A
cross-correlation function was performed to examine the coordination
between toes and between COP movement and four regions of the foot. The cross-correlation
functions showed no significant difference in coefficients between toes. The
OLS duration in the older adults was significantly correlated with the
coefficient between the medial-lateral component of the COP and the first MP
region. This study suggests that
it is important to press the first MP region appropriately relative to COP
movement to maintain the OLS.