Effects of metronome walking on long-term attractor divergence and correlation structure of gait: a validation study in older people

Abstract This study investigates the effects of metronome walking on gait dynamics in older adults, focusing on long-range correlation structures and long-range attractor divergence (assessed by maximum Lyapunov exponents). Sixty older adults participated in indoor walking tests with and without metronome cues. Gait parameters were recorded using two triaxial accelerometers attached to the lumbar region and to the foot. We analyzed logarithmic divergence of lumbar acceleration using Rosenstein’s algorithm and scaling exponents for stride intervals from foot accelerometers using detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). Results indicated a concomitant reduction in long-term divergence exponents and scaling exponents during metronome walking, while short-term divergence remained largely unchanged. Furthermore, long-term divergence exponents and scaling exponents were significantly correlated. Reliability analysis revealed moderate intrasession consistency for long-term divergence exponents, but poor reliability for scaling exponents. Our results suggest that long-term divergence exponents could effectively replace scaling exponents for unsupervised gait quality assessment in older adults. This approach may improve the assessment of attentional involvement in gait control and enhance fall risk assessment.