Changes in high-functioning older adults gait – a five-year longitudinal study

It is known that aging can result in progressive systemic degradation of the human body and thus also negatively influence gait performance. This was confirmed in many studies, however most of them only compare young and older adults or are focused on frailty older adults. In the scientific literature, there is lack of longitudinal studies investigating the effect of aging in the same older individuals, which are physically active, therefore the aim of the present study was to compare gait in healthy, high-functioning older adults after five years to assess the effect of aging. Gait speed, the Falls Efficacy Scale - International (FES-I), the Tinetti Balance Assessment Tool (TBAT) and gait of 23 older adults aged 65.7 ± 4.0 years were assessed at baseline and after five years. Gait was evaluated in an indoor corridor using a triaxial inertial sensor attached to the lower trunk and recording trunk acceleration during 5 minutes of gait at a self-selected walking speed. Linear and nonlinear characteristics from trunk acceleration obtained during gait were calculated. Gait speed and FES-I score decreased significantly, while TBAT score, stride time and gait symmetry remained unchanged at five-year follow-up compared with baseline. Gait variability decreased in the vertical (V) direction and increased in the anteroposterior (AP) direction, while local dynamic stability increased in the V direction and decreased in the AP direction after five years compared with baseline. In addition, after five years, gait complexity and irregularity increased in the V and mediolateral directions and decreased in the AP direction. Age-related collective changes in the interacting subsystems were manifested in all three directions of trunk movement during gait.