Journal of Sports and Motor Development and Learning
Scientific Journal

The Effect of Eight Weeks of Gait Training with Somatosensory Rhythmic Stimulation on the Muscle Activity of the Lower Limbs of the Elderly

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license

Authors

Seyed Hassan Mousavi 1
Sayed Esmaeil Hosseininejad 2
Mansoureh Shahraki 3

1 Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Biomechanics, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Mazandaran , Babolsar, Iran.

2 Department of Motor Behavior and Sport Biomechanics, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar , Iran

3 Department of Sport Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22059/jsmdl.2025.378038.1783
Abstract
Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of gait training with Somatosensory rhythmic stimulation on the muscle activity of the lower limbs of the elderly.
Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 29 elderly individuals (mean age: 71.68 ± 4.35; mean weight: 69.2 ± 5.74; mean height: 166.2 ± 6.52) were selected using available and targeted sampling. They were randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group (16 individuals receiving walking training with Somatosensory rhythmic stimulation) and a control group (13 individuals without any training). The training sessions were conducted for 8 weeks, with 3 sessions per week lasting 30 minutes each. Muscle activity data was collected using electromyography in pre-test and post-test stages. The results were analyzed using SPSS software and covariance statistical method at a significance level of 0.05.
Findings: The activity of the vastus  lateralis  muscle significantly decreased during the loading response and swing phase (P<0.05). Additionally, the Tibialis anterior muscles showed a significant increase in the loading response phase and mid-stance, while the Gastrocnemius muscle showed increased activity in the propulsive phase following training with Somatosensory rhythmic stimulation to enhance walking performance (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The increased activity of the Gastrocnemius muscle likely contributes to improving ankle and knee joint dynamics. Moreover, the enhanced activity of the Tibialis anterior muscle in the first half of the stance phase suggests improved ankle stability and reduced knee loading by decreasing vastus  lateralis  muscle activity. Therefore, Somatosensory rhythmic stimulation exercises can be considered an effective method for enhancing elderly gait.

Keywords

Elderly
Muscle Activity
Somatosensory Rhythmic Stimulation
Gait
Akbari, Asian, & Farimah. (2014). Comparing the effects of static and vibration stretching exercises on postural stability indices in healthy women. Scientific Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, 13(1), 27-40.  https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.17353165.1393.13.1.4.5 (In Persian)
Arakawa, T., Otani, T., Kobayashi, Y., & Tanaka, M. (2021). 2-D forward dynamics simulation of gait adaptation to muscle weakness in elderly gait. Gait & Posture, 85, 71-77.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.01.011
Ashoori, A., Eagleman, D. M., & Jankovic, J. (2015). Effects of auditory rhythm and music on gait disturbances in Parkinson’s disease. Frontiers in neurology, 6, 169297.‏ https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2015.00234
 Azadian, E, Taheri Torbati, H, Saberi Kakhki, A. (2016). Muscular activity of elderly people with impaired balance in walking with dual task. Sports Biomechanics Quarterly, 2(2), 5-15. (In Persian)
Azim Zadeh, Faqihi, Ghasemi, & Abdullah. (2018). The effect of dual task training on the balance of elderly women: with the approach of cognitive and motor tasks. Research in sports management and movement behavior, 8(15), 103-110.  http://dx.doi.org/10.29252/JRSM.8.15.103 (In Persian)
Benjuya, N., Melzer, I., & Kaplanski, J. (2004). Aging-induced shifts from a reliance on sensory input to muscle cocontraction during balanced standing. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 59(2), M166-M171.‏ https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/59.2.M166
Bok, S. K., Lee, T. H., & Lee, S. S. (2013). The effects of changes of ankle strength and range of motion according to aging on balance. Annals of rehabilitation medicine, 37(1), 10.‏ https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2013.37.1.10
Cruz-Jimenez, M. (2017). Normal changes in gait and mobility problems in the elderly. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics, 28(4), 713-725.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2017.06.005
Di Nardo, F., Mengarelli, A., Maranesi, E., Burattini, L., & Fioretti, S. (2015). Assessment of the ankle muscle co-contraction during normal gait: A surface electromyography study. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 25(2), 347-354.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2014.10.016
Faulkner, J. A., Larkin, L. M., Claflin, D. R., & Brooks, S. V. (2007). Age‐related changes in the structure and function of skeletal muscles. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 34(11), 1091-1096.‏ https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1681.2007.04752.x
Fjell, A. M., McEvoy, L., Holland, D., Dale, A. M., Walhovd, K. B., & Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. (2014). What is normal in normal aging? Effects of aging, amyloid and Alzheimer's disease on the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. Progress in neurobiology, 117, 20-40.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pneurobio.2014.02.004
Gonzalez-Hoelling, S., Bertran-Noguer, C., Reig-Garcia, G., & Suñer-Soler, R. (2021). Effects of a music-based rhythmic auditory stimulation on gait and balance in subacute stroke. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(4), 2032.‏ https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18042032
Guizelini, P. C., de Aguiar, R. A., Denadai, B. S., Caputo, F., & Greco, C. C. (2018). Effect of resistance training on muscle strength and rate of force development in healthy older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Experimental Gerontology, 102, 51-58.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2017.11.020
Hortobágyi, T., Solnik, S., Gruber, A., Rider, P., Steinweg, K., Helseth, J., & DeVita, P. (2009). Interaction between age and gait velocity in the amplitude and timing of antagonist muscle coactivation. Gait & posture, 29(4), 558-564.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.12.007
Hosseini, S. S. , Rostamkhany, H. , Naghiloo, Z. & lotfi, N. (2010). The effects of balance, mental and concurrent training on balance in healthy older males. Journal of Research in Rehabilitation Sciences, 6(2), -. https://doi.org/10.22122/jrrs.v6i2.133 (In Persian)  
Hosseinpour, S., Behpour, N., Tadibi, V. & Ramezankhani, A. (2018). The effect of cognitive motor exercises on physical and cognitive health status in the elderly. Iranian Journal of Health Education and Health Promotion, 5(4), 336-344. (In Persian)
Jarchi, D., Wong, C., Kwasnicki, R. M., Heller, B., Tew, G. A., & Yang, G. Z. (2014). Gait parameter estimation from a miniaturized ear-worn sensor using singular spectrum analysis and longest common subsequence. IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 61(4), 1261-1273.‏ https://doi.org/10.1109/TBME.2014.2299772
Khodavisi, H., Anbarian, M., & Khodavisi, M. (2016). Comparison of the electromyographic activity pattern of biceps knee muscles between the young and the elderly at different walking speeds. Jrehab, 16 (4) :324-333. (In Persian)
Knight, J., & Nigam, Y. (2017). Anatomy and physiology of ageing 5: the nervous system. Nursing times, 113(6), 55-58.‏ http://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa35708
Ko, S., Kwak, K., Pomrop, M., & Kim, D. (2021). Vibratory Somatosensory Stimulus Improves Neuromechanical Task of Stair Climbing by the Elderly. Sensors & Materials, 33.‏ https://doi.org/10.18494/SAM.2021.3354
Lee, D. K., Kim, J. S., Kim, T. H., & Oh, J. S. (2015). Comparison of the electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius in stroke patients and healthy subjects during squat exercise. Journal of physical therapy science, 27(1), 247-249.‏ https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.247
Lo, J., Lo, O. Y., Olson, E. A., Habtemariam, D., Iloputaife, I., Gagnon, M. M., ... & Lipsitz, L. A. (2017). Functional implications of muscle co-contraction during gait in advanced age. Gait & posture, 53, 110-114.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.01.010
Lopez, S., Bini, F., Del Percio, C., Marinozzi, F., Celletti, C., Suppa, A., ... & Babiloni, C. (2017). Electroencephalographic sensorimotor rhythms are modulated in the acute phase following focal vibration in healthy subjects. Neuroscience, 352, 236-248.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.03.015
Massaad, F., Lejeune, T. M., & Detrembleur, C. (2010). Reducing the energy cost of hemiparetic gait using center of mass feedback: a pilot study. Neurorehabilitation and neural repair, 24(4), 338-347.https://doi.org/10.1177/1545968309349927
McKhann, G. M., Knopman, D. S., Chertkow, H., Hyman, B. T., Jack Jr, C. R., Kawas, C. H., ... & Phelps, C. H. (2011). The diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease: Recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer’s Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's & dementia, 7(3), 263-269.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2011.03.005
Memarmoghadam, & Shahraki. (2018). The effect of auditory rhythmic stimulation during walking exercise on the kinematic indicators of stepping in patients with multiple sclerosis. Motor Behavior, 10(33), 149-164.  https://doi.org/10.22089/mbj.2018.5582.1649 (In Persian)
Nied, R. J., & Franklin, B. (2002). Promoting and prescribing exercise for the elderly. American family physician, 65(3), 419-427.‏ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11858624/
Nombela, C., Hughes, L. E., Owen, A. M., & Grahn, J. A. (2013). Into the groove: can rhythm influence Parkinson's disease?. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(10), 2564-2570.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2013.08.003
Norasteh. A,, Zarei. H.& Pour Mahmoodian, P. (2017). Investigating the role of muscle strength and range of motion of the lower limbs in elderly falls: a systematic review. Journal of Gerontology, 2(2), 76-89.  http://joge.ir/article-1-158-en.html(In Persian)
Paróczai, R., Bejek, Z., & Illyés, Á. (2005). Kinematic and kinetic parameters of healthy elderly people. Periodica Polytechnica Mechanical Engineering, 49(1), 63-70.‏ https://pp.bme.hu/me/article/view/1342/746
Peterson, D. S., & Martin, P. E. (2010). Effects of age and walking speed on coactivation and cost of walking in healthy adults. Gait & posture, 31(3), 355-359.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.12.005
Pongmala, C., Suputtitada, A., & Sriyuthsak, M. (2010, April). The study of cueing devices by using visual, auditory and somatosensory stimuli for improving gait in Parkinson patients. In 2010 International Conference on Bioinformatics and Biomedical Technology (pp. 185-189). IEEE.‏ https://doi.org/10.1109/ICBBT.2010.5478983
Rahmani, M., Darvishpour, A., pourghane, P.& Atrkarroushan, Z. (2020). The use of MoCA, MMSE and AMTs tests in diagnosing the cognitive status of the elderly undergoing hemodialysis in the medical centers of Gilan University of Medical Sciences in 2019. joge , 5 (3) :64-76 . (In Persian)
Rughwani, N. (2011). Normal anatomic and physiologic changes with aging and related disease outcomes: a refresher. Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine: A Journal of Translational and Personalized Medicine, 78(4), 509-514.‏ https://doi.org/10.1002/msj.20271
Schmitz, A., Silder, A., Heiderscheit, B., Mahoney, J., & Thelen, D. G. (2009). Differences in lower-extremity muscular activation during walking between healthy older and young adults. Journal of electromyography and kinesiology, 19(6), 1085-1091.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2008.10.008
Sekir, U. (2014). Research methods in biomechanics. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 13(1), i-i.‏
Song, G. B., & Ryu, H. J. (2016). Effects of gait training with rhythmic auditory stimulation on gait ability in stroke patients. Journal of physical therapy science, 28(5), 1403-1406.‏ https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.28.1403
Sugaono, H., & Tecchio, J. K. (2020). Exercises training program: It’s Effect on Muscle strength and Activity of daily living among elderly people. Nursing and Midwifery, 1(01), 19-23.‏ https://doi.org/10.52845/nm/1.1.5
Suzuki, K., Niitsu, M., Kamo, T., Otake, S., & Nishida, Y. (2019). Effect of exercise with rhythmic auditory stimulation on muscle coordination and gait stability in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial. Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 7(3), 79-91.‏ https://doi.org/10.4236/ojtr.2019.73005
Torricelli, D., Gonzalez, J., Weckx, M., Jiménez-Fabián, R., Vanderborght, B., Sartori, M., ... & Pons, J. L. (2016). Human-like compliant locomotion: state of the art of robotic implementations. Bioinspiration & biomimetics, 11(5), 051002.‏ http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1748-3190/11/5/051002
van Wegen, E., de Goede, C., Lim, I., Rietberg, M., Nieuwboer, A., Willems, A., ... & Kwakkel, G. (2006). The effect of rhythmic somatosensory cueing on gait in patients with Parkinson's disease. Journal of the neurological sciences, 248(1-2), 210-214.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2006.05.034
Wyss-Coray, T. (2016). Ageing, neurodegeneration and brain rejuvenation. Nature, 539(7628), 180-186.‏ https://doi.org/10.1038/nature20411
Yu, L., Zhang, Q., Hu, C., Huang, Q., Ye, M., & Li, D. (2015). Effects of different frequencies of rhythmic auditory cueing on the stride length, cadence, and gait speed in healthy young females. Journal of physical therapy science, 27(2), 485-487.‏ https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.485
Zacaron, K. A. M., Dias, J. M. D., Alencar, M. A., Almeida, L. L. D., Alberto Mourão-Júnior, C., & Dias, R. C. (2016). Electromyographic normalization of vastus lateralis and biceps femoris co-contraction during gait of elderly females. Fisioterapia em Movimento, 29, 787-794.‏ http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1980-5918.029.004.AO15
Journal of Sports and Motor Development and Learning
Volume 17, Issue 3
Summer 2025
Pages 119-135

  • Receive Date 14 June 2024
  • Revise Date 23 April 2025
  • Accept Date 26 April 2025

Home

Publication Ethics

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Contact Us