Despite the higher injury rate of falls on steps versus level ground, few studies have examined the influence of age and fall history on step descent. The purpose of this study was to determine the lead and trail limb neuromuscular function (peak joint moments and powers, electromyographic activity) differences between young females (n = 15) and older females with (n = 15) and without (n = 15) a fall history while descending a single step. Trail limb moments and powers did not differ between groups. Lead limb sagittal plane powers at the hip and knee were greater in the young adults. Electromyographic co-activation levels (knee and ankle) were not significantly different between groups. However, peroneal activation was greater in the older groups, which may have assisted in stabilizing the ankle joint in lieu of increased co-activation at the ankle. These results demonstrate consideration of step descent is important in working with older women at risk of falls.

Background: Full versus partial range of motion (ROM) bench press (BP) training has only been investigated at submaximal loads with discrete joint angles during training. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a 4-week supramaximal progressive partial ROM (pROM) BP program to a traditional submaximal full range of motion (fROM) program on 1-RM strength and bar kinematics. Methods: Sixteen resistance-trained males (22.2 ± 1.4 years, 180.1 ± 6.3 cm, 88.5 ± 8.6 kgs, 1RM ≥ 1.25× body mass, 6 years’ experience) were randomized into pROM (n = 7) or fROM (n = 9). The pROM group performed BP at 105% 1RM using Bench Blokz to decrease the distance from the bar to the sternum by 1″ increments each week (5″ to 2″). The fROM group followed a strength oriented linear periodization model (80–87.5% 1RM). Both 1RM strength and 3D kinematics were assessed pre- and post-intervention using a 2 × 2 (Group × Time) ANOVA with Bonferroni corrected pairwise comparisons. Results: Both groups significantly increased 1RM strength (F = 45.82, p < 0.001), with no significant differences between groups. Pairwise comparisons revealed that only the fROM group experienced significant increases in 1st peak velocity (p = 0.023), eccentric velocity (p = 0.009), mean concentric force (p = 0.04) and quartile 2 mean concentric force (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Supramaximal pROM training is an effective strategy for increasing 1RM strength in experienced lifters, yielding results comparable to traditional fROM training over the course of a 4-week strength block. However, there are notable changes in bar kinematics surrounding the eccentric-concentric phase change that were only observed after fROM training.

Background: Older adult falls during step negotiation result in higher injury rates compared to level ground falls. Previous research on discrete events during step negotiations may not capture important age-related changes. Curve analysis techniques enable assessment of an entire time series and may further advance the understanding of older adult falls during step negotiation. The purpose of the current study was to investigate lower extremity kinematics during transition step negotiation in older women with fall history compared to young women using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Methods: 15 older female adults with a fall history and 15 young female adults participated in the study. Participants performed walking trials along a 5.5 m raised walkway, descended a 17 cm step and continued walking 3 m. Data was processed from lead limb toe-off prior to the step, through lead limb weight acceptance of the transition step. SPM was used to perform independent t-test analysis of the three-dimensional lower extremity time series. Results: The older faller group showed significantly decreased lead hip abduction (9–19% of step negotiation, mean difference: 3.74°, p = 0.045), increased lead knee flexion (65–80% of step negotiation, mean difference: 5.8°, p = 0.012), and increased trail limb hip adduction (91–100% of step negotiation, mean difference: 3.92°, p = 0.046). Conclusions: The older faller group showed altered hip joint angles in the frontal plane and knee joint angles in the sagittal plane during early swing and late weight acceptance phases, which may reflect compensatory strategies for reduced strength and/or balance. Curve analysis provides additional insight into age-related kinematic changes during step negotiation that may be related to older adult fall risk.