Factor Structure of Gait Parameters in Older Men and Women

Ageing negatively affects the quality of walking. There is a relationship between old age and changes in the main spatiotemporal gait parameters. However, this relationship differs between men and women. The question of the influence of sex on postural balance remains relevant today, since conflicting data are found in various sources. The purpose of this research was to study sex-related differences in the factor structure of gait parameters in older adults. Materials and methods. The study involved 80 subjects aged 60–74 years. The mean age was 67.2 ± 2.1 years in the group of women (n = 40) and 67.4 ± 2.0 years in the group of men (n = 40). Gait was assessed using the computer-aided stabilometric complex Balance Manager. The following tests were performed: Sit-to-Stand, Walk Across, Tandem Walk, Step/Quick Turn, and Step-UpandOver. Results. Sex-related features of the factor structure of gait parameters in older adults were revealed. We established that the leading factor in the group of older women is the factor that combines the following parameters: time to execute a motor act (stepping over an obstacle) and speed of simple and tandem walking. In the group of older men, however, the leading factor combines the parameters of time, accuracy and muscle force when performing complex motor acts (turning while walking and stepping over an obstacle).