TRAINING INFLUENCE ON AGE-DEPENDENT CHANGE IN THE GAIT OF RATS

Stride length, stance width and gait symmetry were measured as paramet ers of gait analysis in young (5 months) and old (28 months) Sprague-D awley rats following 3 months of treadmill running as well as in seden tary controls. Stride length decreased significantly with age and incr eased significantly following training in both young and old rats. Mea ns of stance width increased significantly with age, but were unaffect ed by training. Gait symmetry declined with age; however, treadmill ru nning counteracted the decline of gait symmetry. It was concluded that treadmill running compensates for or prevents age-related changes in the neuromuscular function of rats, which lead to gait detoriation.