Aging Stiffens Ankles, Sacrificing Walking Speed
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- Flinders University and University of Canberra researchers analyzed gait data from 107 healthy adults aged 26–86, identifying a 'safety-first' walking strategy that prioritizes stability over efficiency in older participants.
- Published in the journal Gait (DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110202), the study found older adults are more likely to activate opposing ankle muscles simultaneously — a pattern called co-contraction — which stiffens the joint to improve ground-contact stability.
- Lead author Dr. Cody Lindsay said the trade-off is stark: stiffening the ankle makes walking safer but forces muscles to work harder without generating as much forward movement.
- Older participants also produced less push-off power with each step, resulting in shorter strides and slower walking speeds than younger adults.
- Co-author Associate Professor Maarten Immink said the nervous system compensates for age-related changes by favoring stability over performance, which increases fatigue and reduces the ability to recover from trips or slips — a key factor in falls.
- Researchers recommend exercise programs that emphasize balance, coordination, and lower-leg strengthening — including tai chi — alongside traditional strength work to help preserve mobility and independence.
Why it matters: For the 107 adults studied, even gradual changes in ankle mechanics erode walking confidence and independence, with reduced push-off power and slower recovery from trips directly tied to fall risk — making balance-focused interventions like tai chi an evidence-based prescription rather than generic wellness advice.
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