SupportingData_MTC.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the kinematic differences in minimum toe clearance (MTC), a risk factor for falls, between older and younger adults during habitual walking and treadmill-induced slip perturbations.Materials and methodsData from 28 older adults and 30 younger adults were analyzed for this study. Each subject was fitted with whole-body retroreflective markers for 3D motion capture and walked habitually and while responding to treadmill-induced slip perturbations. Minimum toe clearance and leg joint kinematics were obtained and compared between groups and across conditions.ResultsThere was no difference in MTC between age groups during habitual walking (Older: 5.75 ± 1.08 cm, Younger: 5.45 ± 0.93 cm, p = 0.125). Independent of age, MTC increased significantly in response to treadmill-induced slips (p ConclusionsThis study builds on prior work to conclude that, compared to younger adults, older adults appear to have a diminished capacity to instinctively increase MTC during walking in response to slip-like balance perturbations, which may allow them lesser time to accommodate instability.