Gait variability between younger and older adults: An equality of variance analysis

To estimate gait variability, several methods have been routinely used which provide a measure of global variability. A recent study introduced a group waveform variability method which provides a point-by-point measurement of data variance equality. This can identify where in the gait cycle the significant differences in variability exist.

Do waveform differences exist in equality of variance and group means in lower limb biomechanical variables between healthy younger and older adults during a gait task?

Twenty healthy younger (19-44 years old, age=29.9(7.0) years, body mass index= 24.6(3.2)kg/m², females= 10) and 20 healthy older (55-79 years old, age=63.6(5.5) years, body mass index= 25.9(2.7)kg/m², females= 10) adults who were free from lower limb injuries and had no musculoskeletal or neurological disorders. Temporospatial outcomes, sagittal and frontal lower limb joint angles and moments, along with joint powers were examined as participants walked at a self-selected pace. Waveform patterns were normalized to the gait cycle and compared using equality of variance and statistical parametric mapping techniques.

No difference in walking speed existed between the younger or older groups (P > .05). The older group had greater variability (P < .05) in sagittal hip angles, as well as greater frontal ankle angle and moment variability. The younger group had significantly greater mean (P < .05) ankle power generation prior to toe-off.

This study provided a baseline of temporal differences in variance between healthy younger and older individuals. Its findings warrant the use of the equality of variance test to compare temporal differences for a variety of populations and tasks. Older adults generally had more variability than the younger adults, with many differences occurring near the transition from double- to single-limb support. The statistical parametric mapping analysis showed that the older adults could not generate as much ankle power as the younger adults prior to toe-off.