Headed for a fall: evidence of unstable gait in middle-aged adults

What is it about?

Falls during walking are a major health issue in older adults. Muscle weakness and the decline of the ability to precisely control movements explain that gait becomes increasingly unstable with advanced age. Although the decline of an efficient gait control is particularly evident in older adults, it is not excluded that middle-aged adults already exhibit some signs of instability in their gaits. The objective of the present study was to detect cues of gait unsteadiness in the adult population from 20 to 70 years old. We analyzed the gait patterns of 100 healthy volunteers walking on a treadmill during 5 minutes. A sensor fixed on the upper trunk measured how well the participants controlled their trunk sway. The results show a slight but measurable gait instability in the 40-50 yr. old participants, which further increases in the older group (60-70 yr. old).

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Why is it important?

Epidemiological studies show that injuries due to falls occur at a higher rate for people in their fifties than in younger adults. Here, we link those falls to an increased gait unsteadiness. Although falls in middle-aged adults are rather rare and did not constitute a major public health issue, specific intervention programs targeted to this population may help to maintain a stable gait and, hence, optimal walking capability that may counter aging effects.