Age, gender and speed effects on spinal kinematics during walking

We present the results of a study in which we investigated the patterns and ranges of movement of the lower thoracic and lumbar spinal segments and the pelvis in subjects walking at two self-selected speeds. Our subjects were aged from 20 to 82 years and both genders were equally represented. Measurements were carried out using a video-based system. We detected increased range of motion in each segment with increased walking speed, few gender-related differences in patterns or ranges of motion and significant reduction in spinal range of motion with advancing age. Our findings suggest, however, that these age-related changes are more likely to be step-length dependent than an intrinsic feature of aging.