Performance Differences among Age-levels and Tempos in a step Test with Stipulated Tempo

Shunsuke Yamaji¹, Shinichi Demura² and Hiroki Aoki^3,

¹University of Fukui, School of Medical Sciences, Fukui, Japan

²Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan

³National Institute of Technology, Fukui College, General course, Fukui, Japan

Cite this paper

Shunsuke Yamaji, Shinichi Demura and Hiroki Aoki. Performance Differences among Age-levels and Tempos in a step Test with Stipulated Tempo. American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2016; 4(4):94-97. doi: 10.12691/AJSSM-4-4-2

Abstract

It is more difficult for the elderly to step while adjusting to a slow tempo than young people. However, the progression of this difficulty at different ages and how it affects the elderly over the 80 years has not yet been examined. This study aims to examine the performance differences among all age levels at different tempos of the step test with a stipulated tempo. The subjects were 158 healthy males aged between 10–80 years. Each subject performed the step test for 20 sec, stepping alternately to the beat of a metronome while adjusting to changes in metronome tempo (40, 60, and 120 bpm) twice. It was assumed that if the total number of time differences was small between the times of the metronome beats and stepping-foot contact with the ground, the person was able to step while easily adjusting to changing tempos. The results of a two-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between age, tempo, and performance. Results of multiple comparisons indicated that the total time difference was smaller for those aged under 60 years than for those aged 60 years and over for 40 bpm, and smaller for those aged under 20 years age than those aged 70 years and over for 60 bpm. The time difference at 40 bpm was higher than that at 120 bpm in the subjects aged under 60 years, and it was larger in the order of 40, 60, and 120 bpm for those aged between 60 and 80 years. It is difficult for the elderly to step while adjusting to a slow tempo, and differences in the tempos used largely affected performance. Even for those under 50 years of age, it was more difficult to step while adjusting to a slower than to a faster tempo.

Keywords

aging, coordination, dynamic balance

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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