Older adults demonstrate interlimb transfer of reactive gait adaptations to repeated unpredictable gait perturbations

• DOI: 10.1007/s11357-019-00130-x
• Publication Date: 2019-11-27T14:03:40Z
• Authors: Christopher McCrum; Kiros Karamanidis; Lotte Grevendonk; Wiebren Zijlstra; Kenneth Meijer
• Keywords: Treadmill

Abstract The ability to rapidly adjust gait cope with unexpected mechanical perturbations declines ageing. Previous studies, however, have not ensured that stability pre-perturbation was equivalent across participants or age groups which may influenced the outcomes. In this study, we investigate if age-related differences in following remain when all walk stability. We also examine interlimb transfer of adaptations are observed healthy older adults, by examining adaptation repeated one leg can benefit recovery other is perturbed. During walking at their stability-normalised speeds (young: 1.32 ± 0.07 m/s; older: 1.31 0.13 normalised an average margin 0.05 m), 30 young and 28 adults experienced ten unpredictable treadmill belt accelerations (the first last applied right leg, others left leg). Using kinematic data, assessed margins during unperturbed eight post-perturbation steps. Older required three more steps recover perturbation each than adults. Yet, after only step recover. Interestingly, for untrained could regain fewer steps, indicating improvements. Age reactive even participants’ Furthermore, show improvements balance made limb a limb.