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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Gait Analysis of Age-dependent Motor Impairments in Mice with Neurodegeneration
Published on: June 18, 2018
Multidimensional biomechanical modulation of walking reveals a threshold decline in distal ankle propulsion across
Noppharath Sangkarit1, Weerasak Tapanya2
1Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, 19/2 Maeka Subdistrict, Muang District, Phayao, 56000, Thailand.
Purpose:
This study quantified biomechanical modulation of walking using a multidimensional framework and examined its association with aging, with emphasis on distal ankle propulsion.
Methods:
An open-access three-dimensional gait dataset of 240 healthy adults (18-91 years) was analyzed. Biomechanical modulation variables were defined as within-subject changes from comfortable to fast walking across spatiotemporal, kinetic, and joint-level measures. Principal component analysis (PCA) was utilized as an exploratory technique to derive composite modulation indices from a priori selected variables. Age associations were examined using linear regression and general linear models.
Results:
Three modulation components explained 81.2% of total variance, representing global speed modulation, shock absorption, and distal ankle propulsion. Distal ankle propulsive modulation showed a significant, weak-to-moderate negative association with age (β = -0.31, R² = 0.10, p < 0.001) and a significant age-group effect (F(5,228) = 6.79, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.13). Participants aged ≥ 70 years exhibited substantially lower distal propulsive modulation than younger groups (Δ = 1.06, 95% CI 0.84-1.28). Other modulation components showed weak or no age associations.
Conclusion:
Biomechanical modulation of walking is multidimensional and selectively affected by aging, with a pronounced threshold-like decline in distal ankle propulsion in later adulthood. Modulation-based assessment provides mechanistic insight beyond steady-state gait measures.
