Difference in gait adaptation between younger and older adults adjusting to a continuous target-stepping test

Gait adaptability may be a predicting factor in the outcome of joint replacement surgery. Stepping targets have been used to show a difference in gait adaptability between young and older adults, however not in a test that relates to the rehabilitation of gait after surgery. The aim of this study to develop such a Target-Stepping Test. Younger and older adults performed a Target-Stepping Test that imposed an gait pattern with asymmetric step length at 130% of their comfortable walking speed. A significant learning curve was detected over time for young adults, while no improvement was shown for older adults. A Target-Stepping Test imposing an asymmetric gait pattern at fast walking speed showed to be sensitive enough to detect a difference between strong and weak gait adapters.