@article{ref1,
title="Challenging the motor control of walking: gait variability during slower and faster pace walking conditions in younger and older adults",
journal="Archives of gerontology and geriatrics",
year="2016",
author="Almarwani, Maha and Vanswearingen, Jessie M. and Perera, Subashan and Sparto, Patrick J. and Brach, Jennifer Sokol",
volume="66",
number="",
pages="54-61",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Gait variability is a measure of motor control of gait. Little is known about age-related changes in the motor control of gait (gait variability) during challenging walking conditions, such as slower and faster pace walking. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of challenging walking conditions (slower and faster speeds) on gait variability in younger and older adults. <br><br>DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional, observational design. <br><br>METHODS: Forty younger (mean age=26.6±6.0years) and 111 community-dwelling older adults (mean age=77.3±6.0years), independent in ambulation, were studied. Gait characteristics were collected using a computerized walkway (GaitMat II™). Step length, step width, step time, swing time, stance time and double support time variability were derived as the standard deviation of all steps across the 4 passes. <br><br>RESULTS: Compared to younger, older adults had a significant change in their gait variability from usual to slower in step width (-0.006±0.003), step time (0.028±0.006), swing time (0.023±0.004), stance time (0.042±0.008), and double support time (0.024±0.005). Changes in gait variability from usual to faster were not significantly different between younger and older adults. LIMITATION: Gait variability was examined during self-selected over-ground walking, where subjects directed to walk &quot;slower&quot;, &quot;usual&quot; and &quot;faster&quot;. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Walking slowly is more challenging to the motor control of gait and may be more sensitive to age-related declines in gait than usual and faster speed walks.<br><br>Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0167-4943",
doi="10.1016/j.archger.2016.05.001",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2016.05.001"
}