Footwear Features Significantly Alter Gait Performance In Older Adults

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of most commonly worn athletic footwear on GPs in older adults during a 7-meter Instrumented Stand and Walk Test (iSAW) at different speeds and to establish the relationships between specific footwear features and GPs. METHODS: 52 older adults (42F/10M; age: 68 ± 7 years; height: 158.2 ± 8.1 cm; mass: 70.3 ± 12.7 kg) performed randomized 7-meter iSAW barefoot and with their most commonly worn athletic footwear at self-selected (SS) and maximum (MAX) speeds. Kinematic data for GPs were quantified using six inertial sensors. Paired t-tests compared GPs between conditions, and Pearson correlations analyzed relationships between footwear features and GPs. RESULTS: There were significant differences in 10 GPs during iSAW between barefoot and footwear conditions across different walking speeds. Shorter forefoot height related to faster gait speed (r = -0.386, p = 0.005) and reduced stride length (r = -0.318, p = 0.021). Shorter heel height related to larger toe-off angle (r = -0.325, p = 0.019). An increase in heel external width related to a longer double support, stance, and terminal double support ground contact time (r = 0.321, p = 0.02; r = 0.31, p = 0.025; r = 0.332, p = 0.016, respectively). Softer midsole hardness related to a higher elevation at midswing (r = -0.347, p = 0.014). Longer internal shoe length related to longer stride length (r = 0.443, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most commonly worn athletic footwear significantly alters multiple GPs in older adults across different walking speeds during iSAW. Specific footwear features, such as forefoot height, heel height, heel external width, internal shoe length, and midsole hardness, related to changes in gait characteristics, highlighting the importance of footwear selection within this population.