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Influence of Step-Width Manipulation on Running Biomechanics
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How older adults regulate lateral stepping on narrowing walking paths.

Meghan E Kazanski1, Joseph P Cusumano2, Jonathan B Dingwell1

  • 1Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.

Journal of Biomechanics
|October 19, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Older adults adapt walking on narrowing paths by adjusting step width and position, maintaining balance. They show flexibility in regulating stepping to navigate challenges and reduce fall risk.

Keywords:
AgingBalance controlSteppingVariabilityWalking

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Area of Science:

  • Biomechanics
  • Gerontology
  • Human Movement Science

Background:

  • Navigating complex walking paths is crucial for fall prevention in older adults.
  • Understanding how older adults adjust gait on challenging paths is essential for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how young and older adults modify their stepping strategies on narrowing virtual paths.
  • To quantify changes in lateral stepping variability and step corrections in response to path narrowing.

Main Methods:

  • Participants (young and older adults) walked on virtual paths that progressively narrowed.
  • The Goal Equivalent Manifold framework was used to analyze lateral stepping variability and step-to-step corrections.
  • Gait characteristics were assessed at path narrowing points and where participants switched paths.

Main Results:

  • Both age groups reduced lateral stepping variability as paths narrowed, with older adults showing less reduction.
  • Young adults increased lateral position corrections while decreasing step width corrections; older adults increased both.
  • Older adults switched to easier paths sooner but maintained similar lateral stepping characteristics to younger adults.

Conclusions:

  • Older adults adapt to narrowing paths by altering the balance between maintaining lateral position and controlling step width.
  • Despite leaving narrowing paths earlier, older adults demonstrate flexible stepping regulation to preserve balance.
  • These findings highlight the adaptive capacity of older adults in dynamic walking environments and inform fall prevention strategies.