Why gait quality matters as you age
An article from The Conversation highlights the significance of gait quality as we age, emphasizing its impact on overall health and quality of life. It explains that walking is a critical physical activity, but one in three people over 60 experiences walking difficulties due to gradual changes in their bodies. Poor gait can lead to joint strain, instability, and increased fall risk, reducing confidence and discouraging walking, creating a vicious cycle of muscle weakening. The article introduces the Heel2Toe sensor, a promising wearable device that attaches to the shoe to monitor ankle movement and capture the gait cycle in real time, offering a precise way to measure and analyze walking patterns.
The Heel2Toe sensor tracks gait and actively encourages better walking habits through audio cues that provide positive feedback for steps with a strong heel strike. This feedback helps users retrain their gait, promoting a stronger, steadier walking pattern that can become their new normal. By improving gait, the sensor contributes to increased confidence, mobility, and independence, which are vital for active aging. The article also underscores that active living involves more than physical activity, encompassing emotional and social factors like feeling connected and creative, as identified in a 2024 study. For the full article, go here: Why gait quality matters as you age, by ‘The Conversation’.
Leave A Comment