The effect of aging on gait parameters in able-bodied older subjects: a literature review

Gait disorders are common in the elderly populations, and their prevalence increases with age. Abnormal gait has been associated with greater risk for adverse outcomes in older adults, such as immobility and falls, which in turn lead to loss of functional independence and death.

The purpose of this review was to evaluate all of the original papers that measured gait parameters in the healthy elderly subjects.

The search strategy was based on Population Intervention Comparison Outcome method. A search was performed in Pub Med, Science Direct, Google scholar, ISI web of knowledge databases by using the selected keywords. Forty-two articles were selected for final evaluation. The procedure using the PRISMA method was followed.

Stride lengths of older subjects ranged between 135 and 153 cm, and they preferred to walk with a 41 % increase in step width compared to young subjects. Cadence was reported to be between 103 and 112 steps/min in older adults. They consumed an average of 20-30 % more metabolic energy than younger subjects. All except one study demonstrated that older people have significantly reduced gait symmetry.

The progression toward shorter steps and slower walking and increased step width and prolonged double support in older adult, may therefore emerge as a compensatory strategy aimed at increasing stability, avoiding falls, or reducing the energetic cost of mobility.