Mapping the Multidimensional Link Between Spatiotemporal Gait Features and Metabolic Cost in Older Adults

Walking becomes less economical with age, but the links between detailed gait mechanics and metabolic energy expenditure remain unclear. This study examined multidimensional associations between gait characteristics and walking energetics in community-dwelling older adults. Eighty-five participants, including 62.4% women, completed a steady-state walking task while metabolic energy expenditure was measured using portable indirect calorimetry. Four energetic outcomes were analyzed: walking cost as a percent of peak metabolic capability, steady-state walking metabolic rate, gross cost of transport, and reserve cost of transport. Gait was assessed using an instrumented walkway and summarized across spatial, temporal, and variability domains, yielding 28 gait parameters. Pearson correlations were calculated between each gait parameter and each metabolic outcome, with significance set at p < 0.05. Across 28 gait features and four metabolic outcomes, clear association patterns emerged. Spatial parameters showed the strongest and most consistent relationships with metabolic cost, suggesting that step length, stride length, and related forward-progression measures are closely tied to energetic demand during steady-state walking. Temporal parameters showed meaningful but generally weaker associations, while variability-based metrics also demonstrated moderate significant correlations. These findings provide a quantitative framework linking gait mechanics with walking energetics and may help identify mobility biomarkers and intervention targets in older adults.