Abstract No: 580 Gait Termination Ability to a Rhythmic Cue, as an Indicator of Function- A Comparative Study Between Ages

Purpose: This study compared gait termination performance following sudden metronome cessation between younger (25–40 years) and older adults (50–70 years), and examined how increased metronome tempo (+10 BPM, +20 BPM above baseline) influences stopping distance. A secondary aim was to examine its relationship with TUG. Relevance: Sudden stopping is a major fall trigger in older adults, and overshoot distance after metronome cessation provides a simple, sensitive marker of inhibitory control and rapid deceleration—domains not captured by standard mobility tests. Participants: Thirty community-dwelling adults (15 younger, 15 older) able to walk independently for 10 meters participated. Those with neurological, vestibular, orthopedic, cardiac, or cognitive impairments were excluded. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative design was used. Baseline cadence was calculated from a 30-second walk (steps ×2 = BPM). Participants then walked a 10-meter walkway under Baseline, +10 BPM, and +20 BPM tempos. After ~6 meters of entrainment, the metronome was stopped unpredictably, and stopping distance was measured. TUG was recorded separately. Analysis: Group differences were assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test, and correlations between stopping distance and TUG were examined (p < 0.05). Results: Groups did not differ at baseline (p = 0.802). Older adults showed significantly greater stopping distances at +10 BPM (p = 0.002) and +20 BPM (p = 0.003). The increase from baseline to +20 BPM was larger in older adults (p = 0.020). TUG was significantly slower in older adults (p < 0.001), and higher TUG times correlated with longer stopping distances. Conclusion: Stopping distance is a sensitive marker of age-related inhibitory control and gait termination ability. Overshoot was greater in older adults, likely due to slower reaction time, reduced balance, and difficulty disengaging from rhythmic entrainment. Implications: Further research should examine its predictive validity and potential for rehabilitation training.