# Accelerometer Measurements: A Learning Tool to Help Older Adults Understand the Importance of Soft-Landing Techniques in a Community Walking Class

## TL;DR

Older adults who shortened their step length in a walking class reduced physical strain and impact forces, as measured by accelerometers.

## Contribution

This study demonstrates the practical use of accelerometers to teach soft-landing walking techniques to older adults.

## Key findings

- Participants reduced step length and upward acceleration after the walking lesson.
- A strong positive correlation (r = 0.73) was found between changes in step length and upward acceleration.
- Over 95% of participants found the accelerometer measurements practical and easy to understand.

## Abstract

What are the main findings?
A positive correlation was found between step length and upward acceleration.The practicality of measuring upward acceleration reflects the vertical impact forces (landing impact) among older adults participating in a community walking class.

A positive correlation was found between step length and upward acceleration.

The practicality of measuring upward acceleration reflects the vertical impact forces (landing impact) among older adults participating in a community walking class.

What is the implication of the main finding?
It is possible to reduce physical strain by shortening your step length.The physical load placed on your body can be seen numerically in an upward acceleration results sheet.

It is possible to reduce physical strain by shortening your step length.

The physical load placed on your body can be seen numerically in an upward acceleration results sheet.

When people overextend their step length, it leads to an increase in vertical movement and braking force. The overextension elevates landing impacts, which may increase pain in the knees or lower back. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of soft-landing walking techniques in a 90 min, instructor-led group class for older adults. To evaluate a landing impact, an accelerometer measurement system (Descente LTD., Tokyo, Japan) was used to measure a participant 10 meter (m) of walking. Assessment outcomes included the average number of steps, step length, upward acceleration which reflects the landing impact, and survey questions. A total of 223 older adults (31 men, 192 women, mean age 74.4 ± 5.7 years) completed the walking lesson. Following the lesson, participants decreased their step lengths and reduced upward acceleration, along with an increased step count. The number of steps increased, and a positive correlation (r = 0.73, p < 0.01) was observed between the rate of change in step length and upward acceleration. Over 95% of participants gave high marks for practicality and understanding the accelerometer measurements. The information derived from this study will provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of soft-landing techniques as a promotion of a healthy walking program for older adults.