Habitual endurance running does not mitigate age-related differences in gait kinetics

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Older adults exhibit distinct gait patterns, including reduced ankle and increased hip joint kinetics, often linked to diminished plantarflexor muscle strength.
• Physical activity is believed to preserve muscle strength and mobility in aging populations, yet activity levels typically decrease with age.
• Understanding how physical activity influences gait kinetics is crucial for managing mobility decline in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of habitual endurance running on lower-extremity joint kinetics in older males.
• To compare gait kinetics and muscle strength between older long-term runners and older non-runners.

Main Methods:

• 12 older male endurance runners (average age 67) and 12 older male non-runners (average age 70) participated.
• Participants underwent overground walking trials at 1.3 m/s with kinematic and kinetic data collection.
• Maximal voluntary contractions of hip, knee, and ankle joints were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer.

Main Results:

• Older runners had comparable ankle plantarflexor and hip extensor strength but greater knee extensor strength than non-runners.
• Gait analysis revealed similar ankle joint kinetics but significantly larger hip joint kinetics in older runners compared to non-runners.
• Running at least 20 miles/week and annual race training did not eliminate age-related gait kinetic differences.

Conclusions:

• Habitual endurance running, as defined in this study, did not mitigate the characteristic age-related changes in lower-extremity gait kinetics.
• The findings suggest that altered ankle and hip joint kinetics during walking may be an inherent aspect of the natural aging process.
• These results contribute to understanding the long-term effects of physical activity on biomechanical adaptations in aging.