All articles tagged with #gait
UCSF researchers developed a closed-loop adaptive deep brain stimulation system that detects step-specific brain signals and automatically modulates stimulation within milliseconds, synchronizing with walking to improve gait symmetry and reduce falls in five Parkinson’s patients—evidence supporting a shift from fixed stimulation to behavior-responsive neuromodulation with potential broader applications.
A 2026 study of 107 adults aged 26–86 found that aging shifts walking strategy from efficiency to safety: the ankle and surrounding muscles show more co-contraction, increasing joint stiffness to improve balance, but reducing forward push-off, shortening strides and slowing walking, which makes tasks feel more tiring and raises fall risk. The researchers suggest training that targets balance and coordination—not just strength—to help older adults stay mobile, with activities like tai chi and lower-leg strengthening recommended.
New study of 107 adults aged 26–86 shows older walkers exhibit ankle muscle co-contraction, stiffening joints to improve balance but reducing push-off, shortening strides, and slowing pace. The nervous system appears to favor stability over performance as muscles weaken, increasing fatigue and fall risk; targeted balance/coordination training could help maintain a steadier gait.
About 25% of adults have flat feet, but only a minority have symptoms; flat feet can alter gait and may cause pain in the foot or ankle and increase arthritis risk in the knees or hips, with treatments including orthotics, physical therapy, or surgery in rare cases—though asymptomatic individuals may not need changes beyond supportive footwear.
New research shows that how a person walks—especially arm and leg swing amplitude—can signal their emotional state. In experiments, observers correctly guessed emotions from point-light gait videos, with bigger swings associated with anger and smaller swings with sadness or fear; altering swing amplitude made these emotions easier to infer, suggesting gait is a key nonverbal cue with potential applications in CCTV screening and mood-monitoring wearables, though ethical considerations remain.
Research suggests that certain gait patterns, such as toe-walking or specific arm movements, could be indicators of autism, but these are not definitive and may be influenced by various factors. The article discusses the complexity of diagnosing autism based on physical behaviors and emphasizes the importance of tolerance and understanding of neurodiversity.
A study conducted by the University of Minnesota and Monash University suggests that walking slower in old age could be a red flag for dementia. The study examined 17,000 participants aged over 75 and found that those who lost 0.05 meters per second from their walking pace every year showed signs of mental decline. The researchers believe that the link between brain decline and walking speed could be due to the areas of the brain involved in controlling walking and pace. Those who experienced a decline in both cognition and walking speed were found to be at a higher risk of dementia. The study highlights the importance of assessing both speed and memory to detect cognitive decline and assess future decline.