Effect of knee sleeves on joint angle variability during gait in older adults: a principal component analysis

IntroductionAs the global elderly population increases, maintaining walking ability and minimizing fall risk among older adults is crucial for their health and wellbeing. Knee sleeves are commonly utilized in geriatric sports and rehabilitation to stabilize knee joint movement and enhance gait stabi...

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Main Authors: Wakako Tsuchida, Takuma Inai, Shoma Kudo, Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, Masahiro Fujimoto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1525174/full
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author Wakako Tsuchida
Wakako Tsuchida
Wakako Tsuchida
Takuma Inai
Takuma Inai
Takuma Inai
Shoma Kudo
Shoma Kudo
Shoma Kudo
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi
Masahiro Fujimoto
Masahiro Fujimoto
Masahiro Fujimoto
author_facet Wakako Tsuchida
Wakako Tsuchida
Wakako Tsuchida
Takuma Inai
Takuma Inai
Takuma Inai
Shoma Kudo
Shoma Kudo
Shoma Kudo
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi
Masahiro Fujimoto
Masahiro Fujimoto
Masahiro Fujimoto
author_sort Wakako Tsuchida
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionAs the global elderly population increases, maintaining walking ability and minimizing fall risk among older adults is crucial for their health and wellbeing. Knee sleeves are commonly utilized in geriatric sports and rehabilitation to stabilize knee joint movement and enhance gait stability. However, their effects on joint kinematics during walking in healthy older adults, particularly on joint angle variability—a factor associated with fall risk—remain inadequately explored. This study aimed to investigate the influence of knee sleeves on joint angle variability during gait in healthy older adults.MethodsPrincipal component analysis was performed on 16 healthy older adults residing in the community, utilizing 3D spatiotemporal data of the participants’ time-normalized lower limb joint angles throughout the complete gait cycle. The analysis involved a 64 × 1818 input matrix, accounting for 16 participants, two conditions (control and knee sleeves), two walking speeds (normal and fast), three angles, three axes, 101 time points, and two parameters (average and variability). Kinematic waveforms were reconstructed based on the statistical findings to identify notable differences in joint angle variabilities between the conditions.Results and discussionThe outcomes revealed reduced variability in knee and ankle joint angles on the sagittal plane when walking with knee sleeves compared to walking without them. Conversely, an increased variability in hip, knee, and ankle joint angles was observed on the sagittal plane when walking at a fast speed compared to a normal speed. These results suggest that knee sleeves may reduce variability in knee and ankle joint angles during walking in older adults, potentially lowering the risk of falls. This effect appears particularly beneficial during fast-paced walking, where joint angle fluctuations are more pronounced than during normal-speed walking. These findings offer quantitative evidence for the effectiveness of knee sleeves in enhancing walking performance in healthy older adults.
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spelling doaj-art-b343827f36ac4dda92cde7c4e81158592025-08-20T03:07:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-05-011310.3389/fbioe.2025.15251741525174Effect of knee sleeves on joint angle variability during gait in older adults: a principal component analysisWakako Tsuchida0Wakako Tsuchida1Wakako Tsuchida2Takuma Inai3Takuma Inai4Takuma Inai5Shoma Kudo6Shoma Kudo7Shoma Kudo8Yoshiyuki Kobayashi9Yoshiyuki Kobayashi10Masahiro Fujimoto11Masahiro Fujimoto12Masahiro Fujimoto13Integrated Research Center for Self-Care Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takamatsu, Kagawa, JapanHealth and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takamatsu, Kagawa, JapanResearch Institute on Human and Societal Augmentation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Kashiwa, Chiba, JapanIntegrated Research Center for Self-Care Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takamatsu, Kagawa, JapanHealth and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takamatsu, Kagawa, JapanResearch Institute on Human and Societal Augmentation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Kashiwa, Chiba, JapanIntegrated Research Center for Self-Care Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takamatsu, Kagawa, JapanHealth and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takamatsu, Kagawa, JapanResearch Institute on Human and Societal Augmentation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Kashiwa, Chiba, JapanResearch Institute on Human and Societal Augmentation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Kashiwa, Chiba, JapanIntegrated Research Center for Self-Care Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Kashiwa, Chiba, JapanIntegrated Research Center for Self-Care Technology, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takamatsu, Kagawa, JapanHealth and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Takamatsu, Kagawa, JapanResearch Institute on Human and Societal Augmentation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Kashiwa, Chiba, JapanIntroductionAs the global elderly population increases, maintaining walking ability and minimizing fall risk among older adults is crucial for their health and wellbeing. Knee sleeves are commonly utilized in geriatric sports and rehabilitation to stabilize knee joint movement and enhance gait stability. However, their effects on joint kinematics during walking in healthy older adults, particularly on joint angle variability—a factor associated with fall risk—remain inadequately explored. This study aimed to investigate the influence of knee sleeves on joint angle variability during gait in healthy older adults.MethodsPrincipal component analysis was performed on 16 healthy older adults residing in the community, utilizing 3D spatiotemporal data of the participants’ time-normalized lower limb joint angles throughout the complete gait cycle. The analysis involved a 64 × 1818 input matrix, accounting for 16 participants, two conditions (control and knee sleeves), two walking speeds (normal and fast), three angles, three axes, 101 time points, and two parameters (average and variability). Kinematic waveforms were reconstructed based on the statistical findings to identify notable differences in joint angle variabilities between the conditions.Results and discussionThe outcomes revealed reduced variability in knee and ankle joint angles on the sagittal plane when walking with knee sleeves compared to walking without them. Conversely, an increased variability in hip, knee, and ankle joint angles was observed on the sagittal plane when walking at a fast speed compared to a normal speed. These results suggest that knee sleeves may reduce variability in knee and ankle joint angles during walking in older adults, potentially lowering the risk of falls. This effect appears particularly beneficial during fast-paced walking, where joint angle fluctuations are more pronounced than during normal-speed walking. These findings offer quantitative evidence for the effectiveness of knee sleeves in enhancing walking performance in healthy older adults.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1525174/fullwalkingknee sleevejoint angle variabilityprincipal component analysisolder adults
spellingShingle Wakako Tsuchida
Wakako Tsuchida
Wakako Tsuchida
Takuma Inai
Takuma Inai
Takuma Inai
Shoma Kudo
Shoma Kudo
Shoma Kudo
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi
Masahiro Fujimoto
Masahiro Fujimoto
Masahiro Fujimoto
Effect of knee sleeves on joint angle variability during gait in older adults: a principal component analysis
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
walking
knee sleeve
joint angle variability
principal component analysis
older adults
title Effect of knee sleeves on joint angle variability during gait in older adults: a principal component analysis
title_full Effect of knee sleeves on joint angle variability during gait in older adults: a principal component analysis
title_fullStr Effect of knee sleeves on joint angle variability during gait in older adults: a principal component analysis
title_full_unstemmed Effect of knee sleeves on joint angle variability during gait in older adults: a principal component analysis
title_short Effect of knee sleeves on joint angle variability during gait in older adults: a principal component analysis
title_sort effect of knee sleeves on joint angle variability during gait in older adults a principal component analysis
topic walking
knee sleeve
joint angle variability
principal component analysis
older adults
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1525174/full
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