Aging and Type 2 Diabetes: Consequences for Motor Control, Musculoskeletal Function, and Whole-Body Movement
1Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6BH, UK
2Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR), Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
3Crews, Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR), Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
4Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6BH, UK
Aging and Type 2 Diabetes: Consequences for Motor Control, Musculoskeletal Function, and Whole-Body Movement
Description
Type 2 diabetes is associated with lifestyle factors such as poor diet and limited physical activity. Risk for the disease also increases with advancing age, and this association is exemplified by data showing that 27% of US residents aged over 65 years had type 2 diabetes compared to 11% of people aged over 20 years.
Diabetes causes a number of complications that negatively impact the musculoskeletal system and the individual's capacity to perform a number of physical activities, such as walking or sitting. Diabetes leads to diminished physical capacity through a number of mechanisms such as muscle weakness, limited joint range of motion, and damage to peripheral nerves (neuropathy). Persons affected tend to walk more slowly, many gait parameters show increased variability, and the likelihood of falling is increased. Complications affecting the feet such as deformities, ulcerations, and amputations are also commonly experienced.
Further studies are essential for gaining a more complete understanding of the problems presented by these complications for people with type 2 diabetes and providing appropriate targets for interventions. This is particularly pertinent considering the increasing age of global populations and the predicted rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
We therefore invite investigators to contribute original research as well as review articles that provide further insight into the musculoskeletal complications, motor control impairment, and gait dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes. Articles could relate to one or more components of the musculoskeletal or neuromuscular systems, or could involve whole-body movement and performance issues. Articles investigating the effects of various therapeutic interventions are also particularly welcome. Potential topics could include, but are not limited to:
- Biomechanical topics surrounding the area of gait and human movement in people with type 2 diabetes
- Impaired cognitive function as an intermediary between type 2 diabetes and gait dysfunction/falls
- Tendon, skeletal muscle, and connective tissue adaptations with type 2 diabetes
- Use of therapeutic footwear, braces, and other devices for improving gait or other activities of daily living that are compromised by type 2 diabetes
- Secondary complications attributable to decreased physical activity in individuals with type 2 diabetes, and interventions to increase physical activity
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