Aging, motor skill, and the energy cost of walking: implications for the prevention and treatment of mobility decline in older persons

Age-associated neural changes profoundly affect the biomechanics and energetics of walking, increase energy cost, and require novel approaches to exercise that focus on motor learning theory. We present a conceptual framework for motor skill in walking, its effect on the energy cost of walking, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences Biological sciences and medical sciences, 2014-11, Vol.69 (11), p.1429-1436
Main Authors: VanSwearingen, Jessie M, Studenski, Stephanie A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aging
Aging - physiology
Aging - psychology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Biomechanics
Brain
Brain - physiology
Energy Metabolism
Humans
Learning
Learning - physiology
Mobility Limitation
Motor Skills - physiology
Older people
Special
Walking
Walking - physiology
Walking - psychology
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Summary:Age-associated neural changes profoundly affect the biomechanics and energetics of walking, increase energy cost, and require novel approaches to exercise that focus on motor learning theory. We present a conceptual framework for motor skill in walking, its effect on the energy cost of walking, and the influence of the aging brain. Motor learning theory and practice can be incorporated into interventions to promote skilled, energy efficient walking in older people. An extensive literature on motor skill and motor learning, derived from neuroscience, sports medicine, and neurorehabilitation, can be applied to problems of walking in late life.
ISSN:1079-5006
1758-535X
DOI:10.1093/gerona/glu153