Uneven Walking Momentum Regulation Exhibit Different Strategies based on Age and State of Lookahead

Abstract

AbstractUneven terrains enforce challenges to continuously regulate the step parameters. Since forward momentum contributes materially to the walking balance, its step-to-step regulation plays an important role to traverse terrain complexities. Here, we exhibited that young and older adults’ modulation were affected by the state of lookahead. With a normal lookahead, they demonstrated anticipatory control. The young adults encountered terrain irregularities similar to step-up mounting and dismounting in which the total mechanical work was minimum. On the other hand, the older adults might have put more emphasis on foot placement instead, as they slowed down before the encounters. Additionally, their control was extended beyond of young adults. On the other hand, with the restricted lookahead, the control was based on feedback. Since young and older adults’ momentum regulations were very similar, it also supported suggestions that older adults might inherently rely on feedback to control their gait.