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How Healthy Older Adults Enact Lateral Maneuvers While Walking.
David M Desmet1, Meghan E Kazanski1,2, Joseph P Cusumano3
1Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Older adults’ ability to change walking paths depends more on physical and perceived balance than age itself. Both young and older adults balance stability with maneuverability when changing lanes.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics of human locomotion
- Gerontology and aging research
Background:
- Walking involves complex maneuvers and balance, often involving a trade-off in foot placement strategies.
- Older adults may prioritize balance, potentially limiting their ability to adapt stepping for maneuvers.
Approach:
- Investigated how older adults adapt stepping for lateral lane-change maneuvers.
- Compared young and older adults' performance in a virtual environment using treadmill walking.
- Quantified maneuver initiation, step width, lateral position, and stepping variability.
Key Points:
- Age did not affect maneuver initiation time, but lower perceived ability did.
- Physical ability, not age, influenced how quickly participants reached their new path.
- Both age groups balanced stability and maneuverability, with older adults showing pre-maneuver adaptations.
Conclusions:
- Physical and perceived balance abilities, not just age, significantly impact walking maneuver performance.
- Understanding these factors can inform interventions to improve walking in older adults.
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