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Health & Science3h 36m ago
A recent study published in the journal Gait & Posture reveals that as we age, our nervous system prioritizes stability over efficient movement, altering how muscles around our ankles function and making walking feel harder.
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Australia
Who
scientists at Flinders University and the University of Canberra, Associate Professor Maarten Immink, Dr Lindsay, Dr. Cody Lindsay, Lakshana N Palat, Mathilde Valade, Valentina Tura
What
A recent study published in the journal Gait & Posture reveals that as we age, our nervous system prioritizes stability over efficient movement, altering how muscles around our ankles function and making walking feel harder.
When
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:12:54 GMT · 3h 36m ago
Where
Australia ·
Why
The nervous system adopts a "safety-first" mindset to prevent falls, leading to a biological trade-off where speed and fluid movement are sacrificed for stability.
The Frontline Impact
How this affects you
This shift in ankle mechanics makes walking feel more strenuous and increases the effort required by older adults, also making it harder to regain balance after a slip. Targeted exercises that include balance drills and coordination practice can help maintain mobility.
Story chain
6 events in this thread- Health & Science3h 36m agoA recent study published in the journal Gait & Posture reveals that our bodies naturally adopt a "safety-first" mindset as we grow older, prioritizing fall prevention over smooth, effortless movement, which drains energy and slows us down.Open article
- Currently Reading3h 36m agoA recent study published in the journal Gait & Posture reveals that as we age, our nervous system prioritizes stability over efficient movement, altering how muscles around our ankles function and making walking feel harder.
- Health & Science3h 36m agoA recent study published in the journal Gait & Posture reveals that our bodies naturally adopt a "safety-first" mindset as we grow older, prioritizing fall prevention over smooth, effortless movement due to a shift in how our nervous system commands the muscles around our ankles.Open article
- Health & Science3h 36m agoA recent study published in the journal Gait & Posture reveals that as people age, their nervous system prioritizes stability over efficient movement around the ankles, making walking feel harder.Open article
- Health & Science3h 36m agoA recent study published in the journal Gait & Posture reveals that our bodies naturally adopt a "safety-first" mindset as we grow older, shifting how our nervous system commands muscles around our ankles.Open article
- Health & Science3h 36m agoA recent study published in the journal Gait & Posture, titled "Ageing alters ankle mechanics and muscle co-contraction patterns across the gait cycle," reveals that our bodies naturally adopt a "safety-first" mindset as we grow older.Open article