and Purpose. The pu?pose of this study was to describe and compare active range of motion during free-speedgait in younger and older people. Subjects. Skty volunteers in good health were studied. Thirty subjects (15 male, 15 female) were between 20 and 40 years of age, and 30 subjects (15 male, 15 female) were between 60 and 80 years of age. Methods. Subjects were videotaped walking down a 6-m walkway with reflective markers at six locations along their right side. The videotape was analyzed

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... nine gait characteristics using a two-dimensional video motion anulysis system. Dzferences in gait characteristics between the two groups were examined using a multivariate analysis of variance, followed by univariate F tests. Results. Two gait variables4nee extension and stride length-were significantly diferent between groups, and dtfferences in velocity approached signiJicance. Conclusion and Dbcussgon. For individuals in good health, the gait of older people dzfersfiom the walking pattern of young people for selected variables. Older people demonstrate less knee extension and a shorter stride length compared with younger people. Dzfferences in seppaced walking velocity between old and young people may ha~ie inJuenced the gait characteristics measured, [Ostrosb KM, VanSwearingen JM, Burdett RG, Gee Z A comparison of gait characteristics in young and old subjects. Phys T h t~ 1994; 74:63 7-646.1