"SPACIOTEMPORAL GAIT PARAMETERS OLDER ADULTS SWALKER"

"he present study investigated how variations in walking speed and body weight support (BWS) influence key gait parameters in very old adults during overground, robot-assisted walking using the SWalker platform. Thirteen participants (mean age 85.4\u202f\u00b1\u202f6.8 years) completed trials under nine combinations of BWS (0%, 25%, 50%) and speeds (0.058, 0.225, 0.400\u202fm\/s). Hip joint range of motion (ROM) and spatiotemporal parameters were extracted from motion sensors, while tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius activity was recorded using surface electromyography (sEMG). Increased BWS consistently reduced hip flexion ROM and prolonged single-limb support (SLS), suggesting greater postural stability but also restricted hip joint excursion. Increasing walking speed enhanced step length and cadence and reduced the coactivation index (CI). Mean activation durations (MAD) followed expected muscle-specific trends and indicated improved temporal organization of effort during the gait cycle. Under the tested conditions, frail older adults exhibited measurable adaptations in gait mechanics and neuromuscular control while maintaining a natural gait pattern. From a therapeutic standpoint, speed progression proved beneficial for promoting rhythmic stepping without increasing joint stiffness. Although imposed unloading supports balance in early rehabilitation, the associated reduction in hip flexion ROM suggests that BWS levels should be gradually reduced to avoid limiting joint mobility."