Markerless three-dimensional gait analysis in healthy older adults: test–retest reliability and measurement error

Abstract

In older adults, gait analysis may detect changes that signal early disease states, yet challenges in biomechanical screening limit widespread use in clinical or community settings. Recently, a markerless method from multi-camera video data has become accessible, making screenings less challenging. This study evaluated the test–retest reliability and measurement error of markerless gait kinematics and kinetics in healthy older adults. Twenty-nine healthy older adults performed gait analysis on two occasions, at preferred walking speed, using their everyday clothes. Lower limb angles and moments were averaged from 8 gait cycles. Integrated pointwise indices [Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICCA,K) and Standard Error of Measurement (SEM)] were calculated for curve data, as well as ICCA,K, and SEM [95 % confidence intervals] for selected peaks. Generally, kinematic ICCs were good (>0.75) and reasonably stable throughout the gait cycle, except for the hip kinematics during the swing phase in the sagittal plane and pelvis tilt and rotation. The integrated and peaks SEM were <2.4°. The reliability of kinetics was similar (ICC>0.75), except for the transverse hip moment and abduction peak, fluctuating more during the swing than through the stance phase. SEM were < 0.07Nm/Kg. In conclusion, these results showed good overall test–retest reliability for markerless gait kinematics and kinetics for the hip, knee, and ankle joints, moderate for the pelvis angles, and error levels of ≤5°, and SEM%≤5% for the sagittal plane. This supports this method’s use in assessing gait in healthy older adults, including kinetics, for which reliability data from markerless systems is difficult to find reported.