Aging trades walking efficiency for ankle stability
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- Flinders University and University of Canberra researchers analyzed movement data from 107 healthy adults aged 26–86, finding older participants adopt a "safety-first" walking strategy that favors stability over speed and efficiency.
- Older adults co-contract opposing muscles around the ankle more frequently, stiffening the joint to stabilize ground contact but reducing the forward push generated per step.
- Lead author Dr. Cody Lindsay of Flinders' Caring Futures Institute said the stiffening "makes walking safer" while forcing muscles "to work harder without generating as much forward movement."
- Older participants generated less push-off power per step, producing shorter strides and slower walking speeds, while also losing the ability to recover easily from trips or slips — a key contributor to falls.
- Co-author Associate Professor Maarten Immink said the nervous system compensates for age-related changes by favoring stability over performance, a shift that can also accelerate fatigue during longer walks.
- The researchers recommend exercise programs that go beyond strength to include balance, coordination, and lower-leg work — citing tai chi as one practical option for older Australians.
- The study was published in the journal Gait (2026; 128: 110202; DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110202).
Why it matters: Across 107 adults aged 26–86, the trade-off is concrete: the same ankle stiffening that prevents falls also drains energy and shortens strides, making everyday errands more taxing. Lead author Dr. Cody Lindsay's practical prescription — tai chi, balance drills, and lower-leg work — offers a specific, low-cost route to preserving mobility that pure strength training cannot.
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