GAIT ADJUSTMENTS IN OLDER ADULTS - ACTIVITY AND EFFICACY INFLUENCES

Factors that influence gait adjustments in active and sedentary older adults were examined in this study. Fifty-five older adults (60-85 yea rs) completed a series of physical activity and self-efficacy measures (gait, falls) and the Berg Balance Scale (K. a Berg, S. L. Wood-Dauph inee, J. I. Williams, & B. Maki, 1992). Participants then completed a series of walking trials that included walking with and without obstac les placed in their path. Sedentary older adults adopted a more cautio us walking style than active ones, exhibiting shorter step lengths and slower step velocities. Age, physical activity level, balance, and th e efficacy measures were all found to be significantly correlated with gait speed. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that once age, sex, and body mass index were controlled for, gait efficacy had a sig nificant independent effect on gait speed. These results highlight the importance of examining multiple factors when examining the control o f gait.