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The effect of age on a structural foot characteristics as well as on the plantar force and pressure distribution has been shown in previous studies. Elderly people tend to have a more pronated and flatter feet, reduced range of motion of the ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joint, higher prevalence of hallux valgus and reduced tactile sensitivity (Scott, Menz, & Newcombe, 2007). However, the number of studies focused on gender differences in gait of elderly is lacking. Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare dynamic gait characteristic in younger and older elderly and to investigate the gender differences in these two age groups. Material & Methods 61 healthy elderly (21 men, 40 women) participated in this study and by the age and gender were divided into four groups: males 60-69, males 70-79, females 60-69 and females 70-79 years of age. Plantar pressures were recorded during barefoot walking using the Emed-at (Novel GmbH, Germany). Three steps of the left foot of each participant were used, divided into 10 regions: toe 1, 2, lesser toes, first, second, third, fourth and fifth metatarsal heads, mid-foot and heel. To compare the differences between groups, effect size obtained by Cohen"s d was used. Cohen's d is interpreted as ? 0.20 small, ? 0.50 medium, ? 0.80 large effect (Cohen, 1977). Results The results show significant changes by effect size in plantar pressure in all foot regions except the heel in males and MH5 in females. In males, higher mean pressure was found at 70-79 age group in region MH4, MH5 and mid-foot suggesting a greater lateral load and decreased longitudinal arch of the foot, both reported previously (Scott, Menz, & Newcombe, 2007). In females, the higher mean pressure was found at 70- 79 age group in region MH1. Similar finding was observed in a study by Menz and Morris (2006), where higher loading of MH1 was associated with a reduced range of motion of 1st MPJ. In all other regions, the mean pressures were reduced in the older groups. Similar finding, i.e., reduced force and pressures, was observed in healthy older people by Scott et al. (2007) and explained mainly by the reduced step length. Conclusion The results of the effect size analysis indicate gender differences in the effect of aging on gait. Comparing the younger and older age groups, in males 70-79, a greater lateral load and decreased longitudinal arch of the foot were observed, whereas in female 70-79 group, higher mean pressure was found under the 1st MPJ. References 1. Cohen, J. Statistical power analysis for behavioral sciences (revised ed.). New York: Academic Press; 1977. 2. Menz, H.B., Morris, M.E. (2006). Clinical determinants of plantar forces and pressures during walking in older people. Gait and Posture, 24, 229-236. 3. Scott, G., Menz, H.B., Newcombe, L. (2007). Age-relate differences in foot structure and function. Gait and Posture, 26 (1), 68-75.
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