Does Backward Walking Enhance Gait or Balance Performance in Older Adults?

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of a backward walking intervention on selected gait and balance characteristics in older adults. METHODS: Ten healthy young adults (G1; 21.9+ or -2.1 yrs; 175+ or -10.5 cm; 70.3+ or -11.5 kg) and 10 healthy, non-faller older adults (G2; 69.8+ or -7.7 yrs; 168+ or -11.8 cm; 70.7+ or -15.2 kg) performed self-selected speed forward and backward walking over a 10 m calibrated space during which time three-dimensional lower extremity kinematic parameters were measured with a 12-camera motion capture system (120Hz). RESULTS: G2 exhibited significantly faster self-selected forward walking4 velocity post-intervention (1.10+ or -0.17 vs 1.22+ or -0.12 m/s; p=0.048). Balance scores were significantly different between groups (G1: 90.4+ or -2.0, G2: 85.5+ or -5.13; p = 0.005) and across time (G1-Pre: 89.85+ or -1.79, Mid: 90.8+ or -2.0, Post: 90.4+ or -2.3; G2-Pre: 83.4+ or -5.9, Mid: 87.3+ or -3.7, Post: 85.9+ or -5.8; p=.012) for the most challenging balance test.