The effect of tactile ground surface indicators to the gait of elderly with normal vision

Tactile ground surface indicators installed on sidewalks help visually impaired people walk safely. However, these indicators could be an extra barrier for people who do not use those indicators. In previous study, we suggest that a functional leg length discrepancy while walking on the indicators is one of the reasons for the extra movements of the lower extremities for young. This study examines the effects of these indicators to the elderly comparing the kinematic and kinetic variables of walking on 1) a path without indicators, 2) a path with normally installed indicators, and 3) a path with recessed indicators. The results suggest that walking on the normally installed indicators causes extra movements of the lower extremities such as increased minimum toe heights during the mid-swing phase by raising entire lower extremities, and functional leg length discrepancy while walking on the indicators is one of the reasons for the extra movements of the lower extremities.