Age Related Changes of the Walking Cycle During Fastest Walking in Healthy Male Subjects

Abstract

Velocity, step length and walking rate during fastest walking were measured together with maximum torque (MVC) in the left knee extension for 81 healthy males with aged from 22 to 79 years. Velocity and step length showed an accelerated decline from the sixties, while walking rate decreased with age linearly. Multiple regression analysis with age, height, weight and MVC as independent variables and velocity, step length and walking rate as dependent variables indicated that (1) walking velocity was significantly related to age, MCV and weight, (2) step length to MVC and weight, and (3) walking rate to age.