Gait dynamics, fractals and falls: Finding meaning in the stride-to-stride fluctuations of human walking

Jeffrey M. Hausdorff*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

666 Scopus citations

Abstract

Until recently, quantitative studies of walking have typically focused on properties of a typical or average stride, ignoring the stride-to-stride fluctuations and considering these fluctuations to be noise. Work over the past two decades has demonstrated, however, that the alleged noise actually conveys important information. The magnitude of the stride-to-stride fluctuations and their changes over time during a walk - gait dynamics - may be useful in understanding the physiology of gait, in quantifying age-related and pathologic alterations in the locomotor control system, and in augmenting objective measurement of mobility and functional status. Indeed, alterations in gait dynamics may help to determine disease severity, medication utility, and fall risk, and to objectively document improvements in response to therapeutic interventions, above and beyond what can be gleaned from measures based on the average, typical stride. This review discusses support for the idea that gait dynamics has meaning and may be useful in providing insight into the neural control of locomotion and for enhancing functional assessment of aging, chronic disease, and their impact on mobility.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)555-589
Number of pages35
JournalHuman Movement Science
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2007

Funding

FundersFunder number
DAPHNet
European Union Sixth Framework Program
National Institutes of HealthRR-13622, AG-08812, HD-39838
National Institute on AgingR29AG014100
National Parkinson Foundation
H2020 Future and Emerging Technologies018474-2

    Keywords

    • Aging
    • Executive function
    • Falls
    • Fractals
    • Gait
    • Gait variability
    • Parkinson's disease
    • Review

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Gait dynamics, fractals and falls: Finding meaning in the stride-to-stride fluctuations of human walking'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this