Gabell A, Nayak U S
J Gerontol. 1984 Nov;39(6):662-6. doi: 10.1093/geronj/39.6.662.
The intercycle variability in gait of two temporal parameters (stride time and double-support time) and the step-to-step variability of two spatial parameters (step length and stride width) were assessed in 64 healthy adults, 32 aged 21 to 47 and 32 aged 66 to 84. For all parameters the median values of the coefficient of variation did not differ significantly between the two groups. They were below 6% for step length and stride time but much higher for stride width and double-support time (between 17 and 27%). These differences in variability are discussed in relation to the control systems involved. Step length and stride time are thought to be determined predominantly by the gait-patterning mechanism, whereas stride width and double-support time may be determined predominantly by balance-control mechanisms. The results suggest that, in both age groups, the gait-patterning mechanisms are more consistent in their operation than are the balance-control mechanisms and that increased variability in gait should not be regarded as a normal concomitant of old age.
对64名健康成年人的步态进行了评估，其中32人年龄在21至47岁之间，32人年龄在66至84岁之间，评估内容包括两个时间参数（步幅时间和双支撑时间）的周期间变异性以及两个空间参数（步长和步幅宽度）的逐步步幅变异性。对于所有参数，两组之间变异系数的中位数没有显著差异。步长和步幅时间的变异系数低于6%，但步幅宽度和双支撑时间的变异系数要高得多（在17%至27%之间）。结合所涉及的控制系统对这些变异性差异进行了讨论。步长和步幅时间被认为主要由步态模式机制决定，而步幅宽度和双支撑时间可能主要由平衡控制机制决定。结果表明，在两个年龄组中，步态模式机制在运行中比平衡控制机制更一致，而且步态变异性增加不应被视为老年的正常伴随现象。
