Spatiotemporal components of the 3-D gait analysis of community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly Japanese: Age- and sex-related differences

Abstract

Aim: To describe age- and sex-related differences in gait patterns of community-living men and women using 3-D gait analysis.Methods: Subjects (n = 2006) aged 40-84 years participated in the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). Spatiotemporal components, including velocity, step length, step frequency, and double support time during a gait cycle, were calculated from 3-D coordinates and vertical force data. Velocity, step length and step frequency were normalized by leg length and acceleration due to gravity, and double support time was normalized to gait cycle duration.Results: Spatiotemporal walking variables of brisk velocity and step length were significantly greater in men than in women, while comfortable velocity and comfortable and brisk step frequencies and double support times were greater in women than in men. Age-related changes were marked at 70-84 years in most spatiotemporal variables in both sexes during comfortable walking. During brisk walking, age-related changes were observed from a younger age than during comfortable walking, and there were sex-related differences.Conclusion: The age-related gait alteration was obvious among those aged 70 years and older, and it accelerated markedly in women's brisk walking intensity. © 2010 Japan Geriatrics Society.