Gait variability in community-dwelling older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To describe gait variability at usual and fast walking speeds in community-dwelling older adults and to describe the effects of increasing gait speed on gait variability.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive study.


METHODS
The Cardiovascular Health Study at the University of Pittsburgh.


METHODS
Ninety-five community-living older adults, 54 women and 41 men, age 65 and older (mean age +/- standard deviation 79.4 +/- 3.37).


METHODS
Gait measured at participant's usual and fast walking speed collected using an instrumented walkway. Step-length and step-width variability were determined using the coefficient of variation.


RESULTS
Step-length variability was greatest in those who walked the slowest (r = -0.66, P < .001); step-width variability was smallest in those who walked the slowest (r -0.37, P < .001). Individuals who could not increase their walking speed (<0.10 m/second) on command had an increase in step-length variability and a decrease in step-width variability, whereas those who could increase their speed (>0.10 m/second) had an increase in step-width variability when walking at a faster speed.


CONCLUSIONS
Step-length and step-width variability have opposite associations with gait speed in older adults. Improvement in step-length and step-width variability with attempted acceleration might be a key factor to examine in future studies of disability risk and therapeutic interventions.
Brach
J S
JS
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA.
Berthold
R
R
Craik
R
R
VanSwearingen
J M
JM
Newman
A B
AB
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*