While factor analyses have characterized pace, rhythm and variability as factors that explain variance in gait performance in older adults, comprehensive analyses incorporating many gait parameters have not been undertaken and normative data for many of those parameters are lacking. The purposes of this study were to conduct a factor analysis on nearly two dozen spatiotemporal gait parameters and to contribute to the normative database of gait parameters from healthy, able-bodied men and women over the age of 70. Data were extracted from 294 participants enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Spatiotemporal gait data were obtained as participants completed two walks across a 5.6-m electronic walkway (GAITRite®). Five primary domains of spatiotemporal gait performance were identified: a “rhythm” domain was characterized by cadence and temporal parameters such as stride time; a “phase” domain was characterized by temporophasic parameters that constitute distinct divisions of the gait cycle; a “variability” domain encompassed gait cycle and step variability parameters; a “pace” domain was characterized by parameters that included gait speed, step length and stride length; and a “base of support” domain was characterized by step width and step width variability. Several domains differed between men and women and differed across age groups. Reference values of 23 gait parameters are presented which researchers or clinicians can use for assessing and interpreting gait dysfunction in aging persons.

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This study suggests that certain subcategories of the BESS have sufficient reliability to be used in the evaluation of postural stability but that the total BESS score is not reliable. In addition, a change in score of greater than 9.4 (interrater) or 7.3 (intrarater) points is required before the change in postural stability can be attributed to the balancer rather than to the scorer.

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Gluteus maximus recruitment might have greater association with reduced knee valgus in women than does external-rotation strength during step-down tasks. Gluteus medius strength might be associated with increased knee valgus.