Ronita

Cromwell

BS

MS
PhD

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

"The study of head stabilization is a critical area as head stability optimizes sensitivity of sensory systems.  While strategies for successful head stabilization have been described for laboratory tasks, functional activities like walking pose different requirements for the challenge to head stability.  The broad aim of my work is to examine the integration between sensory and motor systems that contribute to head stabilization during functional activities.  My investigations focus on motor control mechanisms underlying dynamic balance during walking tasks.  Maintaining dynamic balance facilitates head stabilization and contributes to optimal function of the vestibulo-ocular reflex.  This type of work has implications for examining falls in older adults and individuals with vestibular dysfunction."

Cromwell, RL & Newton, RA:  Relationship  between balance and gait stability in healthy older adults.  Journal of Aging and physical Activity, 12:90-100, 2004.

Cromwell, RL, Schurter, JB, Shelton, S, Vora, S. Head stabilization strategies in the sagittal plane during locomotor tasks.

Physiotherapy Research International, 9:33-42, 2004.

Cromwell, RL, Pidcoe, PE, Griffin, LA, Sotillo, T, Ganninger, D, Feagin, M:  Adaptations in horizontal head stabilization in response to altered vision and gaze during natural walking.  Journal of Vestibular Research, 14:367-373, 2004.

Rogers, H, Cromwell, RL, Newton, RA: Relationship between gait speed and measures of balance, confidence and fear of

falling in community dwelling older adults.  Experimental Aging Research, In press.

Funding

Cromwell, RL:  Effects of Tae Kwon Do on Dynamic Balance in Elders.  Supported by the John Sealy Memorial

Endowment Fund for Biomedical Research, $35,000, 2005-2006.

Presentations

Cromwell, RL & Newton, RA:  Relationship between select balance measures and the gait stability ratio.   Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, 53rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, 2000.

Cromwell, RL, Newton, RA, Forrest G:  Influence of vision on head stability during walking in older adults. Presented at the Society for Neuroscience 30th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA 2000.

Cromwell, RL & Newton, RA: Relationship between select balance measures and the gait stability ratio.   Presented at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Antonio, TX 2001.

Recent Publications

Cromwell, RL & Newton, RA:  Relationship  between balance and gait stability in healthy older adults.  Journal of Aging and physical Activity, 12:90-100, 2004.

Cromwell, RL, Schurter, JB, Shelton, S, Vora, S. Head stabilization strategies in the sagittal plane during locomotor tasks.

Physiotherapy Research International, 9:33-42, 2004.

Cromwell, RL, Pidcoe, PE, Griffin, LA, Sotillo, T, Ganninger, D, Feagin, M:  Adaptations in horizontal head stabilization in response to altered vision and gaze during natural walking.  Journal of Vestibular Research, 14:367-373, 2004.

Rogers, H, Cromwell, RL, Newton, RA: Relationship between gait speed and measures of balance, confidence and fear of falling in community dwelling older adults.  Experimental Aging Research, In press.

Abstracts of Publications

Cromwell, RL & Newton, RA:  Relationship  between balance and gait stability in healthy older adults.  Journal of Aging and physical Activity, 12:90-100, 2004.

Age-related adaptations during walking such as increased double-limb support and decreased velocity create a more stable walking pattern.  Increased walking stability is less effective for forward progression and may be related to balance deficiencies.  The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between walking stability and measures of balance in older adults.  Seventeen healthy older adults and 20 young adults performed the Berg Balance Test (BBT) and walked 10 meters.  Walking velocity and cadence were measured and a gait stability ratio (GSR) was calculated.  Increased GSR indicated that a greater portion of the gait cycle was spent in double-limb support.  Age group comparisons established declines in BBT scores and walking velocity, and increased GSR for older adults.  Significant relationships were identified for BBT item #12 (alternate stepping on a stool) with walking velocity (r = 0.58, r² = 0.34), and GSR (r = -0.74; r² = 0.54).  The correlation of BBT item #12 with GSR was stronger than BBT item #12 and walking velocity (p < 0.05).  Results indicated a strong relationship between increased gait stability and decreased balance for a dynamic weight shifting task.  Therefore, GSR is a better indicator of balance deficits during walking than walking velocity alone.

Cromwell, RL, Pidcoe, PE, Griffin, LA, Sotillo, T, Ganninger, D, Feagin, M:  Adaptations in horizontal head stabilization in response to altered vision and gaze during natural walking.  Journal of Vestibular Research, 14:367-373, 2004.

The purpose of this study was to determine adaptations in head stability resulting from altered gaze and vision during over-ground walking.  Using over-ground walking permitted adaptations in walking velocity and cadence that are otherwise not possible during treadmill walking or walking-in-place.  Gaze and vision were manipulated by having 20 young adult subjects 1) walk naturally, 2) view a distant, earth-fixed target to enhance the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), 3) view a head-fixed target to suppress the VOR, and 4) walk in darkness.  Horizontal head and trunk angular velocities in space, walking velocity and cadence were measured.  Root-mean-square head and trunk angular velocities were calculated and frequency analyses determined head-trunk movement patterns.  Results demonstrated that when given the opportunity, subjects slowed down and decreased cadence in response to challenging tasks.  Walking in darkness proved most challenging indicating the importance of vision during head stabilization.  Viewing the earth-fixed target demonstrated the greatest head stability thereby, facilitating gaze stabilization.  However, comparisons between the earth-fixed and head-fixed target conditions suggest a reciprocal relationship where gaze stability also facilitates head stability.  This contribution of gaze stability to head stability is more important than vision alone as the head stabilization response was diminished during the VOR suppressed condition.