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This research examines the connection between plasma IGF-1 levels and gait parameters in older adults.

June 18, 2026Open Access

Associations of insulin-like growth factor-1 with gait vigor, symmetry, and stability metrics measured by wearable sensors in older adults

Key Points

This research examines the connection between plasma IGF-1 levels and gait parameters in older adults.
Participants: 642 older adults aged 70.46 ± 6.13 years measured for gait parameters and provided blood samples.
Wearable sensors assessed various gait metrics including kinetic and spatiotemporal characteristics.
Multiple linear regressions analyzed associations between IGF-1 and gait parameters.
IGF-1 levels positively correlated with several gait performance metrics, e.g., gait speed (β = 1.105, P = 0.025).
Higher IGF-1 levels were linked to lower asymmetry indices for specific parameters, indicating improved gait symmetry.
Concurrent correlations were identified with biomarkers such as albumin and myostatin, suggesting underlying biological pathways.

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a hormone associated with metabolic function and cellular growth. This study investigates the relationship between plasma IGF-1 levels and digital gait characteristics in older adults. Six hundred forty two older adults completed gait measurements and provided blood samples. Wearable sensors were used to measure periodic, kinetic, and spatiotemporal gait parameters. The asymmetry index (AI) and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated for each parameter. Plasma IGF-1 and related biomarkers were measured. Multiple linear regressions were employed to examine the associations between IGF-1 and gait parameters. The mean age was 70.46 ± 6.13 years. After adjusting for all covariates, IGF-1 levels (per 1-SD increase) were positively associated with thigh acceleration (β = 0.055, P = 0.001), thigh swing work (β = 0.023, P = 0.004), ground reaction force (β = 0.048, P = 0.001), landing control force (β = 0.151, P < 0.001), gait speed (β = 1.105, P = 0.025), stride frequency (β = 1.223, P = 0.024), and stride length (β = 0.013, P = 0.012). The associations of IGF-1 with kinetic gait parameters and stride length remained significant after false discovery rate correction. Higher IGF-1 levels were associated with lower AIs for thigh acceleration and landing control force, and with lower CVs for swing time, thigh acceleration, landing control force, and toe-off angle. We identified biomarkers concurrently correlated with both IGF-1 and gait characteristics, including albumin, uric acid, leptin, myostatin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, interleukin-6, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase. Higher circulating IGF-1 levels are associated with better multidimensional gait performance in community-dwelling older adults. The concurrent correlations between IGF-1, gait metrics, and related biomarkers provide preliminary clues for potential biological pathways involving energy metabolism, inflammatory regulation, antioxidation, and neural function, which require validation in future experimental studies. Not applicable.

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