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

Walking 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 mo...

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Veröffentlicht in:Frontiers in aging Jg. 6; S. 1573778
Hauptverfasser: Inns, Thomas B., Pina, Ilaria, Macgregor, Lewis James, Dudchenko, Paul A., Crockett, Rachel A., Hunter, Angus Murray
Format: Journal Article
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 24.07.2025
Schlagworte:
ageing
Aging
gait
neuromuscular
uneven surfaces
walking
uneven surfaces
ageing
neuromuscular
gait
walking
ISSN:2673-6217, 2673-6217
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Zusammenfassung:Walking 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. Eighty-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. Analysis 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. These 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.
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Edited by: Rajat Emanuel Singh, Northwestern College, United States
Abir Samanta., Haldia Institute of Technology, India
Reviewed by: Héloïse Debelle, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom
Vinayak Vijayan, Clemson University, United States
ISSN:2673-6217
2673-6217
DOI:10.3389/fragi.2025.1573778