Walking balance control in different settings: Effects of walking speed and biological sex

Previous research has suggested that spatiotemporal step parameters differ between settings; however, it remains unclear how different settings influence walking balance control.

How do settings and sex influence walking balance control during walking at different speeds for young adults?

Forty-two adults (21 male (23 ± 4 years), 21 female (24 ± 5 years)) completed overground walking trials in four settings: laboratory (10 m), hallway, indoor open, and outdoor pathway (all 20 m) at three self-selected speeds (slow, preferred, fast) following verbal instructions. Participants wore 17 inertial sensors (Xsens Awinda, Movella, Henderson, NV) to capture total body kinematics. The number of included strides was matched across all conditions, with six strides included in each condition for all participants. Medial-lateral and anterior-posterior total body angular momentum range over each stride was calculated (H_ML range and H_AP range). Setting × speed × sex mixed factorial analysis of variance with repeated measures on setting and speed were used for statistical analysis (α =.05).

Significant setting × speed interactions (p <.001) were present for both outcomes. H_ML range was greater in the laboratory and hallway compared to the indoor open and outdoor pathway settings for slow walking speed only. H_AP range was lower in the outdoor pathway compared to all indoor settings at slow and preferred walking speeds. Differences in H_AP range between settings was more pronounced at the slow speed condition. Across setting and speed conditions, H_ML range was greater for males compared to females.

Young adults may alter their balance control strategy depending on the setting (laboratory, indoor open and outdoor pathway), particularly at slow speeds. Researchers and clinicians are cautioned not to assume walking in laboratory settings reflects walking in all settings nor that males and females can be examined as a single group.