Balance Control During Stair Negotiation (original) (raw)

This study investigates the balance control mechanisms during stair negotiation by examining the center of mass (CoM) and center of pressure (CoP) inclination angles in healthy young and elderly adults. A total of 25 participants (12 elderly and 13 young) were assessed while ascending and descending a staircase, utilizing motion analysis and force plates to capture ground reaction forces and whole body motion. Results indicated significant differences in CoM-CoP inclination angles between the two groups, highlighting that elderly adults maintain a greater medial inclination angle compared to young adults during stair transitions, particularly indicating challenges in body sway reduction during stair descent.