Age, Gender, Body Mass Index, and Foot Loading During Gait

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Movement Analysis
• Gerontology

Background:

• Understanding normal gait parameters is crucial for identifying deviations.
• Aging, sex, and body mass index (BMI) can influence biomechanical functions.
• Previous research has not fully elucidated these factors' impact on asymptomatic individuals' gait.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze how aging, sex, and BMI affect normal functional gait parameters.
• To establish baseline gait characteristics in a healthy population.
• To identify potential age- and sex-related differences in gait time and force parameters.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of asymptomatic subjects (2014-2020).
• Gait analysis using an in-office force platform.
• Primary outcomes: contact time and center of force (CoF) time in heel, midfoot, and metatarsal areas.

Main Results:

• Total contact time and contact time by region were similar across sexes, BMI, and age groups.
• Center of force (CoF) time differed in the midfoot between sexes.
• Maximum force in the heel decreased in females with age, while midfoot and metatarsal areas showed no significant sex-based force differences.
• Age-related differences in force were noted in females (heel, metatarsal) and males (metatarsal).

Conclusions:

• Gait time variables are consistent across foot regions, irrespective of age, sex, and BMI.
• A decrease in heel maximum force in females may be an adaptive response to aging.
• The midfoot appears to function as a stable, "undamaged" region during gait.
• These findings provide reference values for normal gait parameters in asymptomatic individuals.