Impact of age and ballet experience on overground gait kinematics and kinetics

Ballet strengthens leg muscles, improves balance, and lowers fall risk, but its effects on gait remain under-researched. This study analyzed spatiotemporal gait parameters, dynamic gait stability, and kinetic measurements during overground walking in young professional ballet dancers, older recreational ballet dancers, and non-dancers.

Sixty participants (10 young dancers, 10 young non-dancers, 20 older dancers, 20 older non-dancers) walked at their preferred pace while their full-body kinematics and kinetics were collected. Gait speed was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included gait parameters (step length and width, cadence) and dynamic gait stability. Kinetic variables (peak vertical ground reaction force, rate of loading, peak propulsive force, propulsive impulse) were tertiary outcomes. All outcomes were compared across groups.

Dancers, regardless of age, walked faster (p = 0.012) with longer steps (p < 0.001) than non-dancers. Younger participants demonstrated narrower step widths (p < 0.001) and a lower cadence (p = 0.022) than their older counterparts. Stability at touchdown (p ≥ 0.067) and liftoff (p ≥ 0.243) was similar across groups. Dancers exhibited a larger rate of loading (p = 0.031) and generated greater peak propulsive force (p = 0.026) than non-dancers.

Dancers of all ages walked faster and took longer steps than non-dancers. These kinematic differences between dancers and non-dancers may be associated with dancers' higher loading rates and greater propulsive forces. The kinetic differences are likely attributed to the stronger lower-limb mechanics developed through ballet. Despite the kinematic/kinetic differences, all groups showed comparable gait stability. These results offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying dynamic stability control in ballet dancers across ages.