Anterior and mediolateral dynamic gait stabilities attributed to different gait parameters in different age groups

Abstract

The margin of stability (MoS) is a gait stability index with good validity. MoS is computed in the anterior and mediolateral directions. However, their relationship has not been well investigated. Furthermore, previous studies have little investigated the differences in MoS between distinct age groups. Inter-age comparisons reveal age-specific walking characteristics and their effects on stability. In this study, we used multiple indicators and multiple causes model, which is a type of structural equation modeling, to investigate the statistical relationships between various types of gait parameters and MoSs for each of the healthy participant groups over 60 and in their 20s. For the analysis, data from 120 individuals were obtained from a gait database. The model for the younger group showed that the MoSs in the anterior and mediolateral directions were mostly separated. The stability in the anterior direction was independent of the stability in the mediolateral direction. In contrast, some gait parameters simultaneously affected the two MoSs in the elderly group. The stability in the anterior and mediolateral directions was interdependent. For example, forward walking speed influenced the anterior and mediolateral MoSs in the elderly group, whereas it influenced only the anterior MoS in the younger group. These findings suggest that the age of people must be considered when discussing gait characteristics that contribute to stability.

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