ABSTRACT:
INTRODUCTION; A high proportion of falls are due to stepping and tripping over objects especially in elderly. The study was an attempt to demonstrate the performance impairment while negotiating obstacles among old adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS;Thirty community dwelling subjects were randomly recruited in the study and divided into 2 groups, Group A -30 subjects, young olds (51-60 years), and Group B-30 subjects, olds (61-70 years). Subjects were considerably healthy and qualified in the Mini Mental Scale Examination (MMSE). Subjects were instructed to walk at a comfortable gait speed along a 10m pathway. The subjects were asked to negotiate virtual obstacles (red and green lights). These lights were used to divide attention of the subjects. The study comprised of three trials in which the subjects had to undergo Attention division and word generation tasks. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the gait speed of the subjects as the demand for attention increased. The olds encountered an increased challenge to perform both attention division and word generation tasks simultaneously. CONCLUSION: As the age increases, there is a reduction in cognition and neuromuscular co-ordination which tends to increase a greater risk of falls among the elderly while negotiating physical obstacles in the environment.