Gait & Posture
Volume 31, Issue 2 , Pages 197-203, February 2010

Differentiation of young and older adult stair climbing gait using principal component analysis

  • Samantha M. Reid

      Affiliations

    • School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
  • ,
  • Ryan B. Graham

      Affiliations

    • School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
  • ,
  • Patrick A. Costigan

      Affiliations

    • School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
    • School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author at: Physical Education Centre, Biomechanics Laboratory, Queen's University, K7L 3N6 Canada. Tel.: +1 613 533 6601; fax: +1 613 533 2009.

Received 11 February 2009; received in revised form 8 October 2009; accepted 16 October 2009. published online 18 November 2009.

Abstract 

Introduction

Principal component analysis (PCA) has been used to reduce the volume of gait data and can also be used to identify the differences between populations. This approach has not been used on stair climbing gait data. Our objective was to use PCA to compare the gait patterns between young and older adults during stair climbing.

Methods

The knee joint mechanics of 30 healthy young adults (23.9±2.6 years) and 32 healthy older adults (65.5±5.2 years) were analyzed while they ascended a custom 4-step staircase. The three-dimensional net knee joint forces, moments, and angles were calculated using typical inverse dynamics. PCA models were created for the knee joint forces, moments and angles about the three axes. The principal component scores (PC scores) generated from the model were analyzed for group differences using independent samples t-tests. A stepwise discriminant procedure determined which principal components (PCs) were most successful in differentiating the two groups.

Results

The number of PCs retained for analysis was chosen using a 90% trace criterion. Of the scores generated from the PCA models nine were statistically different (p<.0019) between the two groups, four of the nine PC scores could be used to correctly classify 95% of the original group.

Conclusions

The PCA and discriminant function analysis applied in this investigation identified gait pattern differences between young and older adults. Identification of stair gait pattern differences between young and older adults could help in understanding age-related changes associated with the performance of the locomotor task of stair climbing.

Keywords: Stair ascent, Knee kinematics, Knee kinetics, Principal component analysis, Gait analysis

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0966-6362(09)00640-7

doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.10.005

Gait & Posture
Volume 31, Issue 2 , Pages 197-203, February 2010