Different cognitive functions discriminate gait performance in younger and older women: A pilot study

What is it about?

Cognitive function is related to walking ability such that older adults with poor memory, planning and/or focus have slower walking speed. This relationship is consistently observed in older adults (60+ yrs) or adults with cognitive disorders. For the first time we have shown that cognitive function relates to walking ability even in young healthy adults, but the type of cognitive function that relates to walking ability may differ based on age.

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Why is it important?

Our findings suggest that cognitive functions may serve as an early age-specific indicator that can increase options for interventions to reduce deterioration in walking ability with aging. Due to the shared brain regions that regulate walking and cognitive functions, slower walking speed may also reflect cognitive deficits. Our results highlight that age is not requisite for this relationship to exist.