Age-related gait adaptations: analysis of temporal gait parameters and variability, and muscle activation across flat vs. uneven surfaces in young, middle-aged, and older adults
IntroductionWalking is a common physical activity among older adults, but it becomes more complex with age due to increased demands on motor control and attention, particularly when walking surface is uneven. Age-related changes in walking gait, especially after 70, can lead to restricted mobility a...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Aging |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fragi.2025.1573778/full |
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| author | Thomas B. Inns Ilaria Pina Lewis James Macgregor Paul A. Dudchenko Rachel A. Crockett Angus Murray Hunter Angus Murray Hunter Angus Murray Hunter |
| author_facet | Thomas B. Inns Ilaria Pina Lewis James Macgregor Paul A. Dudchenko Rachel A. Crockett Angus Murray Hunter Angus Murray Hunter Angus Murray Hunter |
| author_sort | Thomas B. Inns |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionWalking is a common physical activity among older adults, but it becomes more complex with age due to increased demands on motor control and attention, particularly when walking surface is uneven. Age-related changes in walking gait, especially after 70, can lead to restricted mobility and higher mortality risk. This study investigated age-related differences in gait parameters and muscle activation across young (18–39 years), middle-aged (40–59 years), and older adults (60+ years) on flat and uneven surfaces.MethodsEighty-three healthy adults participated in the study. Variability in double support, stance, swing, and stride times; and muscle activity were assessed during walking on both surface types and used as dependent variables.ResultsAnalysis showed that older adults adopted a more cautious walking strategy, characterized by longer double support and shorter swing phases, regardless of the surface. Muscle activation patterns indicated increased demands on the plantar flexors and knee extensors in older adults. Walking on uneven surfaces increased gait variability across all age groups.ConclusionThese findings highlight age-specific walking adaptations related to muscle activation. Understanding these adaptations is crucial for developing targeted interventions to enhance walking performance and reduce fall risks, especially in older adults. The study underscores the importance of assessing gait under various conditions to comprehensively capture age-related differences. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e38a9e8a68f842839985d88f490fba54 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2673-6217 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Aging |
| spelling | doaj-art-e38a9e8a68f842839985d88f490fba542025-08-20T03:15:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Aging2673-62172025-07-01610.3389/fragi.2025.15737781573778Age-related gait adaptations: analysis of temporal gait parameters and variability, and muscle activation across flat vs. uneven surfaces in young, middle-aged, and older adultsThomas B. Inns0Ilaria Pina1Lewis James Macgregor2Paul A. Dudchenko3Rachel A. Crockett4Angus Murray Hunter5Angus Murray Hunter6Angus Murray Hunter7Department of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United KingdomFaculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United KingdomFaculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, United KingdomFaculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United KingdomFaculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United KingdomDepartment of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United KingdomFaculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, United KingdomSchool of Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, United KingdomIntroductionWalking is a common physical activity among older adults, but it becomes more complex with age due to increased demands on motor control and attention, particularly when walking surface is uneven. Age-related changes in walking gait, especially after 70, can lead to restricted mobility and higher mortality risk. This study investigated age-related differences in gait parameters and muscle activation across young (18–39 years), middle-aged (40–59 years), and older adults (60+ years) on flat and uneven surfaces.MethodsEighty-three healthy adults participated in the study. Variability in double support, stance, swing, and stride times; and muscle activity were assessed during walking on both surface types and used as dependent variables.ResultsAnalysis showed that older adults adopted a more cautious walking strategy, characterized by longer double support and shorter swing phases, regardless of the surface. Muscle activation patterns indicated increased demands on the plantar flexors and knee extensors in older adults. Walking on uneven surfaces increased gait variability across all age groups.ConclusionThese findings highlight age-specific walking adaptations related to muscle activation. Understanding these adaptations is crucial for developing targeted interventions to enhance walking performance and reduce fall risks, especially in older adults. The study underscores the importance of assessing gait under various conditions to comprehensively capture age-related differences.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fragi.2025.1573778/fullgaitageingneuromuscularuneven surfaceswalking |
| spellingShingle | Thomas B. Inns Ilaria Pina Lewis James Macgregor Paul A. Dudchenko Rachel A. Crockett Angus Murray Hunter Angus Murray Hunter Angus Murray Hunter Age-related gait adaptations: analysis of temporal gait parameters and variability, and muscle activation across flat vs. uneven surfaces in young, middle-aged, and older adults Frontiers in Aging gait ageing neuromuscular uneven surfaces walking |
| title | Age-related gait adaptations: analysis of temporal gait parameters and variability, and muscle activation across flat vs. uneven surfaces in young, middle-aged, and older adults |
| title_full | Age-related gait adaptations: analysis of temporal gait parameters and variability, and muscle activation across flat vs. uneven surfaces in young, middle-aged, and older adults |
| title_fullStr | Age-related gait adaptations: analysis of temporal gait parameters and variability, and muscle activation across flat vs. uneven surfaces in young, middle-aged, and older adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Age-related gait adaptations: analysis of temporal gait parameters and variability, and muscle activation across flat vs. uneven surfaces in young, middle-aged, and older adults |
| title_short | Age-related gait adaptations: analysis of temporal gait parameters and variability, and muscle activation across flat vs. uneven surfaces in young, middle-aged, and older adults |
| title_sort | age related gait adaptations analysis of temporal gait parameters and variability and muscle activation across flat vs uneven surfaces in young middle aged and older adults |
| topic | gait ageing neuromuscular uneven surfaces walking |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fragi.2025.1573778/full |
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