Effects of Sport Participation on Gait Coordination, Symmetry, and Variability in Older Adults

in Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

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Mohsen Shafizadeh Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7524-1058 *
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Stuart Bonner Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom

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Jonathan Fraser Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom

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Shahab Parvinpour Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2142-3347
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Mohsen Shabani Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

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Andrew Barnes Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom

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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8262-5132
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2022-0363
Keywords:
gait declines; gait metrics; walking
First Published Online:
01 Jun 2023
In Print:
Ahead of Print
Page Range:
1–8
Restricted access

The aim of this study was to compare the interlimb coordination, asymmetry, and variability between older adults who participated in sports (n = 25; age = 72.6 ± 6.46 years) and sedentary older adults (n = 20; age = 70.85 ± 3.82 years). The sport participants were selected from tennis and badminton clubs, whereas the sedentary participants were recruited from local community centers. The participants walked at their preferred speed in a 10-m walkway for 2 min. The interlimb coordination was measured by the phase coordination index. Other walking metrics were speed, cadence, swing time, stance time, double-support time, stride time, and swing time asymmetry. The results showed that the sport participants relative to the sedentary group had better interlimb coordination, higher walking speed and cadence, and less swing time variability. Young older adults also had a better interlimb coordination. In conclusion, the findings of this study showed that long-term participation in sports has some antiaging benefits on gait coordination and symmetry in older adults.

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