The Effects of Aging and Cognition on Gait Coordination Analyzed Through a Network Analysis Approach

Background/Objectives: Walking coordination is crucial for maintaining independence and quality of life, but it is significantly affected by aging and cognitive decline. This study investigates how age and cognitive status relate to lower limb coordination during gait, using a network-based analysis of joint kinematics. Methods: Fifty-six healthy participants (31–82 years old) underwent gait analysis with a stereophotogrammetric system and cognitive assessment through standardized neuropsychological tests. Kinematic data were processed to build “kinectomes”, representing the inter-joint coordination across the gait cycle. Results: The results showed that the mean lower limb coordination on the sagittal plane negatively correlated with age and positively with cognitive performance. Detailed analysis revealed that age-related declines in coordination were primarily driven by reduced synchronization at the knees, while cognitive status was associated with overall coordination rather than joint-specific changes. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the knees’ critical role in preserving gait coordination with aging and underline the involvement of cognitive aspects in global coordination mechanisms. In summary, our network-based approach provides a refined perspective on gait dynamics, highlighting the relationship between coordination and both age and cognition.