10 reasons why older adults walk with a shuffling gait
Don’t ignore a shuffling walk
As we age, shuffling or dragging our feet while walking becomes more common. Many people develop this habit without even noticing it. Aging brings about physical changes that affect our walking style, such as reduced hip mobility, shorter steps, and a slower pace. These changes impact our walking pattern, also known as our gait.
Shuffling is a sign of abnormal gait. This is in contrast to normal gait, which refers to a walk that is smooth and coordinated, and involves effortless turns and arm swings. On the other hand, gait abnormalities such as shuffling, limping, short steps, or dragging feet can be an indicator of a more serious condition or higher fall risk.
So, why do people shuffle? The short answer is that they’re not doing it on purpose. The first step to minimizing shuffle is to determine what’s causing it. When someone starts shuffling as they walk, there’s usually an external factor at play. At Bold, we talk a lot about recognizing signs that can lead to falls, and a shuffling walk can be one of them.
Here are 10 reasons why older adults walk with a shuffling gait
Muscle weakness
If we have weak muscles in our lower body, specifically around the foot, ankle, legs, or hips, this can make it more difficult to pick our feet off the ground.
Joint pain
Some older adults experience joint pain, often caused by conditions such as arthritis. Joint pain can make it harder to move the joints, limiting the range of motion while walking.
Loss of foot flexibility
As we age, the muscles and tissues that connect, cushion, and support our bones become stiffer. This can make it harder to flex our feet normally, leading us to adopt a shuffling gait.
Difficulty with balance
Changes in our balance are caused by many factors, including age-related muscle loss and changes in cognition. Balance challenges can make it more difficult to stay steady and upright, which can make us more prone to shuffling.
Vision problems
If we have eyesight issues, it can be harder to perceive our surroundings and coordinate movement.
Fear of falling
Some people who have fallen in the past may walk with short steps and a stooped posture out of fear of repeated falls.
Medication side effects
Some medications can cause issues with movement, such as tremors, stiffness, and shuffling.
Worn or poorly-fitting shoes or slippers
Uncomfortable shoes can change the way we step.
Slippery floors
Out of fear of falling or tripping, many of us will shuffle our feet on slippery surfaces.
Health conditions
Some age-related health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia can cause motor issues that impact gait.
A shuffling walk increases fall risk
It might seem like not picking up your feet when you walk isn’t that important. But if someone is shuffling, dragging, or generally not lifting their feet off the ground while walking, they’re at a much greater risk of falling. This is because when we slide our feet, we’re much more likely to trip on rugs, door thresholds, or slightly uneven surfaces. In addition, older adults who shuffle are more likely to stumble because their shoes can catch on the ground. Plus, the narrow stance of shuffling feet can make someone more unbalanced than if they had a regular walking stance.
Alicia Rios, Bold’s head trainer, explains, “Falling is a common concern as we age, and can be caused by a combination of reasons, from regular age-related changes to medical conditions and even environmental factors. One of the most common reasons for falling as we age is loss of muscle mass, also known as sarcopenia, which affects muscle strength, flexibility, and mobility. Shuffling only amplifies changes in our balance and coordination, furthering our fall risk. Luckily, there are strategies we can implement to minimize shuffling and improve balance.”
Falling is a common concern as we age, and is often due to loss of strength and balance caused by age-related muscle loss known as sarcopenia. Shuffling only amplifies these changes in our balance, furthering our fall risk. Luckily, there are things we can do to minimize shuffling and improve our balance.
What you can do about a shuffling walk
If you shuffle your feet while walking, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your doctor. To prepare for your doctor’s appointment, consider if any of these top 10 reasons could be causing you to shuffle your feet. Unless the reason is obvious and easily corrected, like replacing a too-old pair of shoes that are loose, it’s best to have a thorough check-up with your doctor.
To diagnose and treat your situation, your doctor may do a physical examination or gait analysis to check for gait disorders or recommend imaging and tests. In some cases, your doctor may find that shuffling is linked to a health condition such as Parkinson’s disease. For example, Parkinsonian gait, also known as festinating gait, is a walking pattern in individuals with Parkinson’s disease characterized by slow, short steps, shuffling, and sudden, involuntary stops in walking known as freezing. Understanding the underlying causes of shuffling can allow us to improve our walk. Treatments for shuffling gait include physical therapy, medication, regular exercise, and other techniques.
Regular exercise can help you improve flexibility and balance, which are common concerns for people with a shuffling gait. Bold has gentle, expert-led exercise classes to support mobility, strength, and balance. Designed by clinical experts for older adults, Bold has thousands of seated and standing classes for you to explore. Check if you’re eligible for Bold at no cost through your health plan, and start your first class today.