Alcohol contributes to a large number of diseases and health conditions related to injuries. The aim of our study was to evaluate gender differences in forward and backward gait when sober and at a breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) of 0.11%. Fifty females and fifty males participated in our study. The gait analysis was performed twice, when sober and after drinking a given amount of vodka mixed with orange juice. Under both conditions, participants were asked to walk forward and then backward on a Zebris platform. Multivariate analysis and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the differences between genders when walking forward and backward. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to compare the differences between 0.00% BrAC and 0.11% BrAC. Spearman's Rho was used to analyze the relationship between the AUDIT score, anthropometrical characteristics and the subjective score of drunkenness and gait parameters. The results show different strategies to improve stability during gait in women and men when intoxicated with alcohol. When intoxicated, males in forward gait increase their stability by increasing their foot rotation, while females increase their step width. A decrease in balance-related variables was observed in females when walking backward with a BrAC of 0.11%. Additionally, females tended to perform an increase in balance-related gait variables when subjectively feeling more drunk in both forward and backward gait. Different strategies to maintain stability during gait were observed in women and men. The results of our study show that alcohol intoxication has a greater impact on gait in females who tended to perform an increase in balance-related variables with an increase in their subjective score of drunkenness.

• MeSH
• chůze (způsob) MeSH
• chůze MeSH
• dechové testy metody   MeSH
• ethanol MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• otrava alkoholem * MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ethanol MeSH

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze factors affecting spatio-temporal gait parameters in elderly people of both genders and different ages with different risks of fall, fall history, and medications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 210 community-dwelling older adults (156 females, 54 males; mean age 72.84±6.26 years) participated in this study. To assess the risk of falls, the Downton Fall Risk Index was used. An additional question about medication intake (all prescribed drugs) was asked. To assess the spatio-temporal gait parameters, the Zebris FDM platform was used. Gait parameters and Downton Fall Risk Index, stratified by participants' history of falls, multiple medication use (0/1/2+), gender, age, and medication categories, were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: When comparing different medication categories, a Downton Fall Risk Index score indicating a high risk of falls was observed in the psychotropic medication category (3.56±1.67). A gait velocity suggesting a higher risk of falls (≤3.60 km/h) was observed in the psychotropic (2.85±1.09 km/h) and diabetes (2.80±0.81 km/h) medication categories, in the age groups 70-79 years (3.30±0.89 km/h) and 80+ years (2.67±0.88 km/h), and in participants using two or more medications (3.04±0.93 km/h). CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm previous observations and show that higher age and multiple medication negatively affect the gait, and that the higher risk of falls is associated with psychotropic and diabetes medication use. These results provide important information for future fall preventive programs for the elderly that would be especially beneficial for elderly people taking psychotropic and diabetes medication.

• Klíčová slova
• aging, falls, gait velocity, medication, risk,
• MeSH
• chůze (způsob) * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• psychotropní léky MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• samostatný způsob života * MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• psychotropní léky MeSH

Although previous evidence has shown that deviated foot structure and function are associated with falls, little is known of the association between foot rotations and falls in apparently healthy older adults. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to determine the associations between foot rotation and falls. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 120 older women (mean±SD; age 71.01±6.77 years; height 158.92±21.41 cm; weight 70.29±12.97 kg; body-mass index 26.79±4.42 kg/m2). Foot rotations were assessed by using pressure platform (Zebris manufacturer, Munich, Germany), while the risk of falls was assessed by using Downtown Fall Risk Index questionnaire. Correlations and multiple regression models were applied to calculate the associations. In unadjusted model, higher foot rotation was associated with higher risk of falls (β = 0.14, p<0.001 for both feet). In a model adjusted for age, body-mass index, foot pain and fitness index, higher foot rotation remained associated with higher risk of falls (β = 0.10, p<0.001 for both feet). Our study shows that older adults with higher foot rotation are at higher risk of falls. Special interventions aiming to correct for deviated foot function in older women are warranted.

• MeSH
• bolest patofyziologie   MeSH
• index tělesné hmotnosti MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• noha (od hlezna dolů) patofyziologie   MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• úrazy pádem * MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

PURPOSE: The main purpose of the study was to establish a gait speed cut-off value to predict foot pain and the risk of falls among community-dwelling older adults. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, one-hundred and twenty White older women speaking Croatian (mean ± SD age 71.02 ± 6.78 years, height 161.77 ± 6.23 cm, weight 70.29 ± 12.97 kg, body mass index 26.79 ± 4.42 kg/m2) were recruited. The prevalence of foot pain was assessed by a single-item question and the risk of falls by the Downtown Fall Risk Index with a proposed cut-off value of "low risk" (<3 points) vs "high risk" (≥3 points) of falls. Self-selected gait speed (the independent variable) was estimated with a pressure platform (Zebris Company, Munich, Germany). RESULTS: Mean gait speed was 0.95 m/s. Of the total sample, 53.30% and 33.30% reported foot pain and had higher risk of falls. For foot pain and the risk of falls, gait speed cut-off values were 0.88 m/s and 0.85 m/s (area under the curve = 0.80 and 0.83, standard error = 0.043 and 0.043, p < 0.001). Sensitivity for foot pain and the risk of falls was 66.20% and 85.90% and specificity was 84.80% and 69.00%. Slower gait speed was associated with higher prevalence of foot pain (OR = 10.92, 95% CI 4.28 to 27.89, p < 0.001) and higher risk of falls (OR = 13.59, 95% CI 5.45 to 33.87, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Proposed gait speed values of 0.88 m/s and 0.85 m/s may be used in clinical settings to predict foot pain and the risk of falls among community-dwelling older women.

• Klíčová slova
• discomfort, elderly, falls, risk, velocity,
• MeSH
• artralgie diagnóza   MeSH
• chůze (způsob) fyziologie   MeSH
• index tělesné hmotnosti MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• noha (od hlezna dolů) MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• rychlost chůze * MeSH
• samostatný způsob života MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• úrazy pádem prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Chorvatsko MeSH

The main purpose of the study was to explore the effects of carrying police equipment on spatiotemporal and kinetic gait parameters. Two-hundred and seventy-five healthy men and women attending police academy (32% women) were randomly recruited. Gait analysis without and with a police equipment load (≈3.5 kg) was analyzed using the Zebris pressure platform. Differences and effect sizes were calculated using a Student t-test and Wilcoxon test for dependent samples and Cohen's D statistics. In both men and women, carrying police equipment significantly increased the foot rotation (effect size 0.13-0.25), step width (0.13-0.33), step time (0.25), stride time (0.13-0.25) and peak plantar pressure beneath the forefoot (0.16-0.30), midfoot (0.15-0.32) and hindfoot (0.13-0.25) region of the foot. Significant reductions in the step length (0.12-0.25), stride length (0.14-0.23), cadence (0.15-0.28) and walking speed (0.20-0.22) were observed in both sexes. Although significant, the effect sizes were mostly trivial in men and small in women. Our study shows significant changes in the spatiotemporal and kinetic gait parameters when carrying police equipment for both men and women. Although the effect sizes are trivial to small, carrying police equipment of ≈3.5 kg may have a negative impact on gait characteristics in first-year police officers.

• Klíčová slova
• distribution, force, load, special population, walking,
• MeSH
• biomechanika MeSH
• chůze (způsob) * MeSH
• chůze * MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• noha (od hlezna dolů) MeSH
• policie * MeSH
• selhání zařízení MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Background: Although obesity has been consistently correlated with higher plantar pressure during the lifespan, to date little evidence has been provided regarding of how domain-specific and total sedentary behaviors may be correlated with plantar pressures. Moreover, high peak plantar pressures have been consistently associated with foot pain and discomfort, which prevent individuals from being physically active. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to explore the correlations between time spent in sedentary behaviors and plantar pressures. Methods: We recruited 120 older women aged ≥60 years. To assess the time spent in different domains of sedentary behavior, we used the Measure of Older Adults' Sedentary Time (MOST) questionnaire. Peak pressures beneath forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot were measured with a Zebris pressure platform. Results: In the unadjusted model, peak pressures were significantly correlated with almost all domain-specific sedentary behaviors (r = 0.15-0.41). Total time spent in sedentary behaviors was significantly correlated with forefoot (r = 0.40, p < 0.001), hindfoot (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) and total peak plantar pressure (r = 0.40, p < 0.001). In a model adjusted for age, the risk of falls, foot pain and gait velocity, similar significant correlations between sedentary behaviors and plantar pressures remained. Conclusions: Our study shows moderate correlation between domain-specific and total time spent in sedentary behaviors and plantar pressure beneath different foot regions in a sample of older women.

• Klíčová slova
• foot, forces, relation, sedentariness,
• MeSH
• bolest * etiologie   MeSH
• chůze (způsob) MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• noha (od hlezna dolů) * fyziologie   MeSH
• obezita MeSH
• sedavý životní styl * MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• tlak MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

PURPOSE: The main purpose of the study was to determine the level of correlation between self-reported and measured physical fitness. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 120 older women aged ≥60 years. Self-reported physical fitness was assessed on a scale from 1 to 10, where higher score indicated better physical fitness perception. Objective measure included seven physical fitness tests: 1) waist circumference, 2) chair stand in 30 sec, 3) arm curl in 30 sec, 4) 2-min step test, 5) chair sit-and-reach test, 6) back scratch test and 7) 8-feet up-and-go test. Correlation between the two measures was analyzed by using Spearman coefficient (p≤0.05). RESULTS: In the whole sample, self-reported physical fitness was associated with chair stand in 30 sec (r=0.39, p<0.001), arm curl in 30 sec (r=0.54, p<0.001), 2-min step test (r=0.43, p<0.001), chair sit-and-reach test (r=0.39, p<0.001), back scratch test (r=0.36, p<0.001) and 8-feet up-and-go test (r=-0.29, p<0.001). No significant correlation between self-reported physical fitness and waist circumference was found (r=0.03, p=0.786). Overall physical fitness (sum of all physical fitness z-scores) was strongly correlated with self-reported physical fitness (r=0.63, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study shows that self-reported measure of physical fitness is moderately correlated to objectively measured physical fitness in relatively healthy older women.

• Klíčová slova
• aging, correlation, perception, performance, variance,
• MeSH
• geriatrické hodnocení metody   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• obvod pasu MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• rozsah kloubních pohybů fyziologie   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• svalová síla fyziologie   MeSH
• tělesná a funkční výkonnost * MeSH
• tělesná výkonnost fyziologie   MeSH
• zátěžový test metody   MeSH
• zpráva o sobě * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH