A comparison of gait characteristics in young and old subjects

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PA.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare active range of motion during free-speed gait in younger and older people. SUBJECTS. Sixty volunteers in good health were studied. Thirty subjects (15 male, 15 female) were between 20 and 40 years of age, and 30 subjects (15 male, 15 female) were between 60 and 80 years of age. METHODS. Subjects were videotaped walking down a 6-m walkway with reflective markers at six locations along their right side. The videotape was analyzed for nine gait characteristics using a two-dimensional video motion analysis system. Differences in gait characteristics between the two groups were examined using a multivariate analysis of variance, followed by univariate F tests. RESULTS. Two gait variables--knee extension and stride length--were significantly different between groups, and differences in velocity approached significance. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION. For individuals in good health, the gait of older people differs from the walking pattern of young people for selected variables. Older people demonstrate less knee extension and a shorter stride length compared with younger people. Differences in self-paced walking velocity between old and young people may have influenced the gait characteristics measured.

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