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Backward Walking Under Dual-Task Conditions Among Young Adults: A Potential Tool for Early Detection of Gait Instability and Fall Risk

Authors :

Zahra Ouni¹ Hassan Khoudeh² Mina Niknam³ Fariborz Rahimi⁴

1- دانشگاه بناب 2- دانشگاه بناب 3- دانشگاه تبریز 4- دانشگاه بناب

Keywords :

Gait asymmetry،Dual-task،Backward walking،Fall risk،Postural balance

Abstract :

This study aimed to investigate the effect of cognitive and motor dual-task (DT) conditions on gait asymmetry during forward (FW) and backward (BW) walking, and its relationship with fall risk (FR). Healthy young adults were evaluated under ten different conditions, including FW and BW walking, both in single-task and DT modes (cognitive and motor). The results indicated that BW walking produced greater gait asymmetry compared to FW walking, with the highest asymmetry occurring during the task of carrying a cup with the non-dominant hand (NDH). Furthermore, cognitively demanding tasks (e.g., counting BW from 90) significantly increased gait asymmetry in both walking directions. The combination of a challenging walking direction (backward) with high task load exhibited the greatest disruption in gait coordination. These findings suggest that increased gait asymmetry under DT conditions, particularly during BW walking, may serve as a sensitive indicator for detecting motor instability and predicting FR, even in healthy young populations. This provides a foundation for developing screening protocols and preventive interventions to enhance balance and reduce FR.