Best-Compromise Control Strategy Between Mechanical Energy Expenditure and Foot Clearance for Obstacle-Crossing in Older Adults: Effects of Tai-Chi Chuan Practice
Journal
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Journal Volume
9
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: Obstacle-crossing increases the risk of falls in older people. This study aimed to identify the effects of long-term Tai-Chi Chuan (TCC) practice on the control strategies for obstacle-crossing in older people. Methods: A multi-objective optimal control technique with measured gait data was used to identify the control strategies adopted by 15 long-term TCC practitioners and 15 healthy controls when crossing obstacles of different heights, in terms of the best-compromise weighting sets for the conflicting objectives of minimizing energy expenditure and maximizing the toe-obstacle and heel-obstacle clearances. Results and Conclusions: The long-term TCC older practitioners adopted a best-compromise control strategy similar to those adopted by young adults, with greater weightings on the minimization of the mechanical energy expenditure and smaller weightings on foot-clearance as compared to non-TCC controls (TCC: 0.72, 0.14, 0.14; Control: 0.55, 0.225, 0.225). This strategy enabled the long-term TCC older practitioners to cross obstacles with significantly greater leading-toe clearances but with relatively less mechanical energy expenditure. With the current approach, further simulations of obstacle-crossing mechanics with a given weighting set will be useful for answering clinically relevant what-if questions, such as what abilities would be needed if the non-TCC older people were to cross obstacles using the crossing strategy of the TCC people. Copyright ? 2021 Kuo, Chen, Wang, Ho and Lu.
Subjects
gait analysis
obstacle crossing
optimal control
risk of fall
Tai-Chi Chuan
Risk assessment
Control strategies
Energy expenditure
Foot clearances
Mechanical energies
Obstacle crossings
Older People
Optimal controls
Risk of fall
Tai chis
Tai-chi chuan
Gait analysis
Type
journal article