Spatiotemporal parameters during turning gait maneuvers of different amplitudes in young and elderly healthy adults: A descriptive and comparative study

Background: Turning during walking adds complexity to gait and has been little investigated until now. Research question What are the differences in spatiotemporal parameters between young and elderly healthy adults performing quarter-turns (90 degrees), half-turns (180 degrees) and full-turns (360 degrees)? Methods: The spatiotemporal parameters of 10 young and 10 elderly adults were recorded in a laboratory while turning at 90 degrees, 180 degrees and 360 degrees. Two-way mixed ANOVA were performed to determine the effect of age and turning amplitude. Results: Elderly were slower and needed more steps and time to perform turns of larger amplitude than young adults. Cadence did not differ across age or across turning amplitude. Generally, in the elderly, the spatial pa-rameters were smaller and the temporal parameters enhancing stability (i.e., double-support phase and stance/ cycle ratio) were larger, especially for turns of larger amplitudes. In elderly adults, the variability of some spatial parameters was decreased, whereas the variability of some temporal parameters was increased. Stride width of the external leg showed the most substantial difference between groups. Most parameters differed between turning at 90 degrees and turning at larger amplitudes (180 degrees, 360 degrees). Significance This study extends the characterization of turning biomechanics with respect to ageing. It also suggested paying particular attention to the turning amplitude. Finally, the age-related differences may pave the way for new selective rehabilitation protocols in the elderly.