Changes in center of pressure velocities during obstacle crossing one year after bariatric surgery.
Daekyoo Kim, Simone V Gill
PMID 31901766WHAT IT FOUND
One year after bariatric surgery, pressure moved faster forward under the midfoot of both feet and less side to side under the forefoot of the foot pushing off in 19 women.
They also walked faster and used narrower steps. Falls were not measured.
Key findings
01One year after surgery, participants increased gait velocity and step length and decreased step width and double limb support time.
02One year after surgery, participants increased forward foot-pressure speed under the midfoot of both the trailing and leading legs and decreased side-to-side foot-pressure speed under the forefoot of the trailing leg.
03Change in BMI from before to after surgery was associated with increased gait velocity and with changes in midfoot and forefoot foot-pressure speed.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 19 women, so it cannot show what happens in men or in larger groups. Because the same women were tested before and after surgery, the study cannot rule out other changes over the one year. Participants had BMI 35 or higher, no hip, knee, or foot pain, and could read and speak English, so results may not apply to people with pain or other language needs. The authors note the sample was small and patients had different rates or extents of weight loss. The study measured walking and foot-pressure speed, not falls, so it cannot show fall risk changed.
Declared interests
The article lists NIH extramural research support, and the authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the improved walking and foot-pressure movement as proof that bariatric surgery reduces falls. The study followed the same 19 women before and after surgery, did not measure fall events, and included only women.