Prof. Owen Beck, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, UT Austin

"Faster Grandparents: Maintaining Mobility into Advanced-Age"

Abstract: In everyday life, older adults (≥65 years) fall twice as much and expend 10-20% more metabolic energy during walking than young adults – factors that impair mobility and physical independence. Many physiological changes occur as humans age, making it difficult to identify the key factors that govern the age-related decline in mobility. My research aims to identify the factors that limit locomotor performance, and subsequently mitigate such limiting factors using biomechanical interventions. In this seminar, I will discuss how older adults may be able to use custom footwear to attain key benefits of exercise and how balance-improving exoskeletons may improve more than just balance.