Study of the association between gait variability and physical activity

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Gerontology
• Physical Activity & Exercise Science

Background:

• Gait variability serves as an indirect indicator of gait stability, crucial for assessing temporal and spatial aspects of walking.
• Enhanced gait stability is linked to improved physical activity levels, particularly important for the elderly population.
• Understanding the relationship between gait stability and physical activity is vital for promoting healthy aging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between gait stability and physical activity levels.
• To compare these associations across different age groups of women.
• To identify potential gait characteristics that support physical activity in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 42 healthy women aged 18-40 and 65-75 years.
• Assessed physical activity using multi-sensor activity monitors for one week, measuring moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in total (MVPA_tot) and bouts (MVPA_bouts).
• Utilized optoelectronic systems for kinematic analysis to calculate gait variability (SD and CV) of step width, stride length, stance, and swing time during treadmill walking.

Main Results:

• Elderly women with high walking speeds (5 km/h) and moderate step width variability (CV 8-27%) achieved recommended physical activity levels (MVPA_tot and MVPA_bouts).
• Gait variability showed a significant negative association with overall physical activity (MVPA_tot) at 3.5 km/h and bout physical activity (MVPA_bouts) at 4 km/h, after adjusting for age and falls.
• These findings suggest a complex interplay between gait characteristics and physical activity engagement in older women.

Conclusions:

• A significant negative association exists between gait variability and physical activity levels in healthy elderly women.
• Healthy older women exhibiting moderate step width variability and higher preferred walking speeds are more likely to meet recommended physical activity guidelines.
• These insights highlight the importance of gait characteristics in maintaining an active lifestyle among the elderly.