Background: It has been reported that 75% of stairway accidents occur while descending stairs. Using a cane can help
to prevent older people and those with limited mobility from falling. However, studies have shown that two-thirds of
older cane users use a cane that is longer than the recommended length, which may cause unnecessary muscular
loads. This study aims to assess balance and muscular load in older people descending different height steps with
different cane lengths.
Methods: Nine participants (5 males and 4 females) aged over 65 years participated in this study. Cane length and stair
height were independent variables. Electromyography signals were recorded from the biceps brachii of the arm that
usually held the cane and from both gastrocnemius muscles. In addition, the center of pressure (CoP) was assessed as
an indicator of balance in older people descending a step.
Results: Descending from higher steps resulted in the use of greater arm and leg strength at the time of first foot
contact. However, cane length did not affect any of the root mean square values. In addition, the CoP Stabilometric
Parameters showed that mean distance, antero-posterior mean distance, total excursions, antero-posterior total
excursions, mean velocity, and antero-posterior mean velocity were significantly affected by step height, but not by
cane length.
Conclusions: If cane length is within the currently suggested range, then it has little effect on the force load on the
arm and legs when descending a step. Step height has a greater effect than cane length on the strategies used by
older people to maintain stability.