COMPARISON OF THE PATHS OF THE CENTER OF PRESSURE AND CENTER OF GRAVITY BETWEEN YOUNG AND OLD MEN DURING SINGLE SUPPORT GAIT 909

The relationship of the center of gravity (COG) and the center of pressure(COP) during standing is well documented. Their relationship during walking is less understood. This study compared the medio-lateral excursion of the COP, COG and mean COP/COG width ratio (perpendicular distance of COP relative to COG) in younger (age = 24.8 yr.; Ht. = 177.25 cm; Mass = 80.0 kg) and older(age: 64.8; Ht: 175.75 cm; Mass: 86.0 kg) males. All were rear-foot strikers and free of gait impairment. Force and 3D video data of ten trials for each subject were collected as they walked at a velocity between 1.6-1.85 m/s. A 12 segment model was used to determine the mean COG path during a single foot strike. A global reference system was used to align the COG relative to the COP in the transverse plane. Group means and variability (CV calculated as per Winter {1991}) measures were compared with an independent t-test (α=.05). Results indicate that older males maintain wider and more consistent COP and COG paths. Table Older males may employ a more stringent motor control strategy during gait to control the inertial influences of the COG.