Effect of Vertical Ground Reaction Force Biofeedback on Knee and Hip Neuromechanical Characteristics During Walking in Older Adults
This study aimed to assess the effect of real-time vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) biofeedback on sagittal plane hip and knee joint biomechanics and extensor muscle activities in older adults. Fifteen healthy older adults (71 ± 5.8 years) walked on a treadmill while instructed to increase thei...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/6/2945 |
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| author | Forouzan Foroughi Soroosh Sadeh Hao-Yuan Hsiao |
| author_facet | Forouzan Foroughi Soroosh Sadeh Hao-Yuan Hsiao |
| author_sort | Forouzan Foroughi |
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| description | This study aimed to assess the effect of real-time vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) biofeedback on sagittal plane hip and knee joint biomechanics and extensor muscle activities in older adults. Fifteen healthy older adults (71 ± 5.8 years) walked on a treadmill while instructed to increase their first peak of VGRF via biofeedback. Whole-body kinetic and kinematic data and electromyography data for the vastus lateralis and gluteus maximus muscles were recorded. A one-way repeated measure ANOVA followed by post hoc analysis was conducted. Results showed increases in peak VGRF (20.95%), knee extension torque (73.7%), knee flexion angle (53.8%), and vastus lateralis muscle activity (72.1%) during the loading response, with percentage changes calculated as the mean of acquisition and recall trials relative to baseline walking. In contrast, no significant effect on peak hip extension torque and hip flexion angle over time was observed. These findings suggest that biofeedback can induce greater vertical support forces production with increased knee extension torque and extensor muscle activity. In addition, older adults adopted higher vertical support without increasing hip joint torque, potentially aiding in mitigating age-related distal-to-proximal joint torque redistribution. These findings suggest that VGRF biofeedback could potentially be an effective intervention to enhance knee extensor activation and mobility in older adults without increasing hip load. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e2511cfed9b74c0b9393ff8dee124b68 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-e2511cfed9b74c0b9393ff8dee124b682025-08-20T02:11:15ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-03-01156294510.3390/app15062945Effect of Vertical Ground Reaction Force Biofeedback on Knee and Hip Neuromechanical Characteristics During Walking in Older AdultsForouzan Foroughi0Soroosh Sadeh1Hao-Yuan Hsiao2Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 2109 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78712, USADepartment of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 2109 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78712, USADepartment of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 2109 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78712, USAThis study aimed to assess the effect of real-time vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) biofeedback on sagittal plane hip and knee joint biomechanics and extensor muscle activities in older adults. Fifteen healthy older adults (71 ± 5.8 years) walked on a treadmill while instructed to increase their first peak of VGRF via biofeedback. Whole-body kinetic and kinematic data and electromyography data for the vastus lateralis and gluteus maximus muscles were recorded. A one-way repeated measure ANOVA followed by post hoc analysis was conducted. Results showed increases in peak VGRF (20.95%), knee extension torque (73.7%), knee flexion angle (53.8%), and vastus lateralis muscle activity (72.1%) during the loading response, with percentage changes calculated as the mean of acquisition and recall trials relative to baseline walking. In contrast, no significant effect on peak hip extension torque and hip flexion angle over time was observed. These findings suggest that biofeedback can induce greater vertical support forces production with increased knee extension torque and extensor muscle activity. In addition, older adults adopted higher vertical support without increasing hip joint torque, potentially aiding in mitigating age-related distal-to-proximal joint torque redistribution. These findings suggest that VGRF biofeedback could potentially be an effective intervention to enhance knee extensor activation and mobility in older adults without increasing hip load.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/6/2945vertical ground reaction forcebiofeedbackolder adultsknee torquehip torquemuscle activity |
| spellingShingle | Forouzan Foroughi Soroosh Sadeh Hao-Yuan Hsiao Effect of Vertical Ground Reaction Force Biofeedback on Knee and Hip Neuromechanical Characteristics During Walking in Older Adults Applied Sciences vertical ground reaction force biofeedback older adults knee torque hip torque muscle activity |
| title | Effect of Vertical Ground Reaction Force Biofeedback on Knee and Hip Neuromechanical Characteristics During Walking in Older Adults |
| title_full | Effect of Vertical Ground Reaction Force Biofeedback on Knee and Hip Neuromechanical Characteristics During Walking in Older Adults |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Vertical Ground Reaction Force Biofeedback on Knee and Hip Neuromechanical Characteristics During Walking in Older Adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Vertical Ground Reaction Force Biofeedback on Knee and Hip Neuromechanical Characteristics During Walking in Older Adults |
| title_short | Effect of Vertical Ground Reaction Force Biofeedback on Knee and Hip Neuromechanical Characteristics During Walking in Older Adults |
| title_sort | effect of vertical ground reaction force biofeedback on knee and hip neuromechanical characteristics during walking in older adults |
| topic | vertical ground reaction force biofeedback older adults knee torque hip torque muscle activity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/6/2945 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT forouzanforoughi effectofverticalgroundreactionforcebiofeedbackonkneeandhipneuromechanicalcharacteristicsduringwalkinginolderadults AT sorooshsadeh effectofverticalgroundreactionforcebiofeedbackonkneeandhipneuromechanicalcharacteristicsduringwalkinginolderadults AT haoyuanhsiao effectofverticalgroundreactionforcebiofeedbackonkneeandhipneuromechanicalcharacteristicsduringwalkinginolderadults |