Kinematic Strategies for Sustainable Well-Being in Aging Adults Influenced by Footwear and Ground Surface

Falls are an inescapable problem influencing the health and threatening the safety of older adults. Exploring the kinematic strategies of aging adults can help reduce the risk of falls. To study kinematic strategies of aging adults in response to footwear (flat shoes, toe spring shoes, rocker sole shoes) and ground surfaces (level ground, grassland and rock road), a 3D motion capture system and subjective stability evaluation, with 14 female participants, were performed. Results indicated that footwear and ground surfaces significantly impacted joint dynamics during walking. Compared with young adults, aging adults tended to adopt a more conservative walking pattern. Wearing different shoes on the three ground surfaces mainly reduced the ROM (range of motion) of the ankle (p < 0.05). By analyzing the objective and subjective results, rocker sole shoes gave aging adults a stronger sense of instability, so they controlled the movement of ankle joint initiatively. When walking on grassland and rock road, aging adults adjusted the movements of hip, knee and ankle joints to maintain gait stability. Aging adults are recommended to strengthen flexibility training of the ankle joint, perform hip adduction and abduction exercises, and wear rocker sole shoes to improve their balance ability and sustainable well-being.