Person:
Sidaway, Ben

Profile Picture
Email Address
Birth Date
Biography URL
https://www.husson.edu/directory/ben_sidaway
Term at University
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Job Title
Professor, School of Physical Therapy
Last Name
Sidaway
First Name
Ben
Name
Degrees Held
PhD Motor Control & Learning, Penn State University
PT, Husson University
M.A. Motor Behavior and Biomechanics, the University of North Carolina
BSc Sports Science and Ecology

Filters

2024 - 20262
Reset filters

Settings

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    CAN WALKING THE PLANK IMPROVE GAIT?
    (2024-04-18) Andrews, Evan; Driscoll, Alyssa; Matte, Kayla; Newcomb, Ryley; Payeur, Mikaylah; Scott, Danielle; Wheelock, Ryan; Sidaway, Ben
    Purpose: This study examined the effect of balance practice on narrow planks on the fall risk, balance confidence and gait characteristics of older adults. Participants and methods: The Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale and fear of falling were recorded in 10 older adults (73-91 years). The participants then walked over a 6 m long computerized gait mat at normal and quick walking speeds enabling various gait parameters to be recorded. Following these pretests participants practiced walking along planks that decreased in width with practice. Participants practiced for 30 minutes twice a week for 4 weeks. A post-test was conducted at the end of practice and a retention test was administered a week following practice. Data were analyzed using t-tests and analyses of variance (ANOVA). Results: Practice walking on planks significantly improved DGI and ABC scores. The DGI mean improved from “fall risk” to “no risk” and from “moderate physical functioning” to “high physical functioning.” Analysis of gait parameters revealed significant increases in gait velocity at both speeds along with an increase in stride length. The increase in stride length was accompanied by a significant decrease in stride length variability and stance percentage. Conclusion: Quantitative gait markers of fall risk in older adults showed significant improvement following the plank training. The balance training improved dynamic postural control enabling participants to reduce stance time and thus take longer strides consequently increasing gait speed. The improvement in DGI and ABC scores demonstrate clinically meaningful impacts in both gait performance and self-reported balance confidence.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Publication
    WALKING THE PLANK IMPROVES GAIT SPEED AND BALANCE CONFIDENCE IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS.
    (2026-04-16) Sidaway, Ben
    A third of community-dwelling older adults will fall at least once per year with walking being the leading cause of such falls. In such individuals, the greatest postural instability during walking occurs in the mediolateral direction and thus lateral instability is a significant risk factor for falls. The current study uses one-month of beam walking as a means to challenge the dynamic mediolateral stability of older adults in an attempt to improve balance confidence and falls risk. Participants were 24 community dwelling older adults over 70 years of age (Mean = 83.5 yrs.). Baseline assessment included a fear of falling questionnaire, the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and collection of multiple gait parameters during normal and quick walking. Participants were then assessed on their ability to walk along a series of six wooden beams (6 m long, 2 cm thick) of decreasing widths. Following pretest measurements participants practiced walking on the beams for 20 minutes twice a week for 4 weeks. Gait parameters were collected on the final training day, and all pretest measures were repeated one week later. At pretest, the 24 participants reported 38 falls in the previous six months. A six-month follow-up showed 11 falls after training. At pretest, 83% of participants were somewhat afraid of falling, compared with 37% at retention. Analysis of the ABC data revealed a significant improvement in balance confidence from the pretest (M = 61%) to the retention test (M = 90%). The DGI also improved from the pretest to the retention test. Gait analysis revealed that stride length and gait velocity increased significantly following beam training while stride length and stride width variability decreased. Beam training appears to be a simple intervention that can improve dynamic mediolateral stability consequently reducing the falls risk of older adults.