Cognitive impairments in key executive function domains (attention, abstraction, and working memory) have a stronger impact on gait kinematics in older adults than adiposity, with adiposity only associated with ankle kinematics.
Key Findings
Results
Ankle kinematics were significantly affected by both cognitive measures (attention and abstraction) and adiposity measures.
Ankle kinematics were the only joint where adiposity showed a significant association, suggesting central adiposity may influence distal joint control.
Both attention and abstraction subscores from the Montreal Cognitive Assessment were associated with ankle kinematic outcomes.
This was the only joint where adiposity measures contributed alongside cognitive measures.
Results
Hip kinematics were significantly associated with attention but showed no effects of adiposity.
Attention was identified as the cognitive domain associated with hip kinematics.
No effects of adiposity were observed in hip kinematics.
This finding supports the role of executive function in proximal lower limb joint control during gait.
Results
Knee kinematics were primarily associated with working memory, with no effects of adiposity observed.
Working memory, assessed using a verbal N-back task, was the cognitive domain most associated with knee kinematics.
No effects of adiposity were observed in knee kinematics.
The N-back task was used to assess working memory as part of session two cognitive assessments.
Results
Cognitive impairments were more consistently associated with gait kinematics than adiposity across all lower limb joints.
Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and a verbal N-back task.
Cognitive measures (attention, abstraction, working memory) were associated with kinematics at all three joints: ankle, hip, and knee.
Adiposity measures were only associated with ankle kinematics and showed no effects at the hip or knee.
30 older adults were recruited with BMI values ranging from 18.5 kg/m2 (normal weight) to 40.0 kg/m2 (class 2 obesity).
Methods
The study recruited 30 older adults across a wide range of adiposity levels to examine combined effects of adiposity and cognitive impairment on gait.
Total sample size was 30 older adults.
BMI values ranged from 18.5 kg/m2 (normal weight) to 40.0 kg/m2 (class 2 obesity).
Anthropometric data were collected in session one, and cognitive assessments and gait kinematics were evaluated in session two.
Gait kinematics were evaluated during over-ground walking.