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Age-Related Differences in Gait Kinematics, Kinetics, and Muscle Function: A Principal Component Analysis
Sarah A Schloemer1, Julie A Thompson2,3, Amy Silder2
1Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, E305 Scott Laboratory, 201 W 19th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210-1142, USA.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|August 31, 2016
Summary
Older adults show altered muscle force generation during walking, with increased hip extensor activity but no change in distal muscles. This suggests a complex muscle function shift with age.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Gerontology
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Age-related gait changes are often attributed to reduced ankle power, suggesting a distal-to-proximal muscle function shift.
- Analyzing muscle-level changes offers deeper insights into age-related movement mechanisms than joint-level analyses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare muscle forces and induced accelerations during gait in healthy older adults versus young adults.
- To investigate age-related alterations in muscle recruitment and function during walking.
Main Methods:
- Computer simulations of one gait cycle for ten older (73.9 ± 5.3 years) and six young (21.0 ± 2.1 years) adults.
- Analysis of muscle force, induced acceleration, kinematic, kinetic, and muscle activation waveforms using principal component analysis.
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibited greater gluteus maximus force and vertical support contribution.
- Older adults showed reduced iliacus and psoas force and psoas vertical support contribution.
- No significant age-group differences were found in distal muscle force, contribution, or ankle torque magnitudes.
Conclusions:
- Age-related gait alterations involve complex interplay between neuromuscular control, kinematics, and muscle function.
- Increased hip extensor recruitment in older adults may compensate for other changes, but distal muscle function remains similar.
- Later peak dorsiflexion and ankle angular velocity in older adults may influence ankle power absorption during stance.
