Gait patterns and muscle activity in the lower extremities of elderly women during underwater treadmill walking against water flow.

This study sought to determine the characteristics of gait patterns and muscle activity in the lower extremities of elderly women during underwater treadmill walking against water flow. Eight female subjects (61.4+/-3.

Muscle activation, cardiorespiratory response, and rating of perceived exertion in older subjects while walking in water and on dry land.

This study compared the muscle activities, cardiorespiratory responses, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) of nine older individuals while walking in water with those obtained while walking on dry land. Electromyography, stride frequency (SF), stride length (SL), oxygen uptake (V O(2)), heart rate (HR), RPE (for breathing and legs, RPE-Br and RPE-Legs, respectively), and blood lactate concentration (BLa) were measured. There were no significant differences in the V O(2), HR, RPE-Br, RPE-Legs or BLa while walking in water and on dry land (moderate and fast speeds).

Age-related differences in muscle activity, stride frequency and heart rate response during walking in water.

This study aimed to examine whether walking in water produces age-related differences in muscle activity, stride frequency (SF), and heart rate (HR) response. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to evaluate muscle activities in six older and six young subjects while they walked in water immersed to the level of the xiphoid process. The trials in water utilized the Flowmill which consists of a treadmill at the base of a water flume.