Physical activity level influenced general locomotor performance (slower walking, higher ankle co-contraction in inactive older adults) but not key anticipatory locomotor adjustment variables during pedestrian circumvention, except for greater between-participant variability in distance at deviation onset.
Physically inactive older adults walked significantly slower than physically active older adults during both circumvention and unobstructed walking.
Inactive older adults showed higher muscle co-contraction around the ankle joints than active older adults.
No significant group differences were found in key anticipatory locomotor adjustment variables: distance from the pedestrian at deviation onset or minimum clearance.
Gaze behavior did not differ significantly between active and inactive older adults.
Inactive older adults showed greater between-participant variability in the distance at deviation onset.
Exploratory post-hoc analyses suggested a potential influence of sex within the inactive older adult group.
Overall, physical activity level affected general locomotor performance but not key ALA variables during circumvention.
This study compared two groups of healthy older adults, 14 who were physically active and 14 who were inactive, as they walked in a virtual environment and had to steer around an oncoming pedestrian. Researchers measured movement, muscle activity, and where people looked. They expected that inactive older adults would be more cautious when avoiding the pedestrian. The inactive group walked more slowly and showed more co-contraction (simultaneous activation of opposing muscles) around the ankles, both when avoiding the pedestrian and when walking with no obstacle. The authors suggest this may be a way of making the ankle joints more stable. However, the groups did not differ in how far from the pedestrian they began to change course, how closely they passed, or where they looked. The inactive group did vary more from person to person in when they started to deviate. This research suggests that an inactive lifestyle may influence general walking performance more than the specific strategies used to avoid other people. The study was small and exploratory, and a preliminary look suggested that sex might play a role within the inactive group. These findings would need confirmation in larger studies.
Boulo J, Simon M, McFadyen B, Blanchette A. (2026). Effects of lifestyle physical activity level on pedestrian circumvention in older adults: an exploratory study.. Experimental brain research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-026-07405-8