AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the circular gait test as a method for detecting side-to-side straight-line gait asymmetry in older adults. METHODS: A total of 25 healthy older adults and 20 healthy young adults participated in this study. Walking speeds, right- and left-leg step lengths, and stance durations were measured during straight-line walking using a triaxial accelerometer (G-walk from Bertec Japan). Step length and stance duration laterality were calculated using the side-to-side difference (|Left - Right|) and asymmetry index (|Left - Right| / mean right and left values × 100). For circular gait, the time required to walk twice around a 1-m diameter circle for right and left rotations was measured, and the laterality was calculated using the same formula as that described for the straight-line gait. RESULTS: The results showed no differences in straight-line step length or stance duration laterality between groups. However, circular gait asymmetry was significantly higher for older participants. A significant correlation was confirmed between circular gait time and straight-line step length for older adults (r = 0.404). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that the circular gait test had better potential to detect age-related changes in gait laterality than straight-line gait step length or stance duration, and it might work as a simple assessment method for detecting laterality in straight-line walking. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 736-739.
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