Cognitive performance and dynamic spinopelvic kinematics across walking speeds in healthy young adults

Although gait is often considered highly automated, cognitive performance may be associated with dynamic trunk–pelvis kinematics as locomotor demand increases. How these associations vary across standardized walking speeds remains unclear. This study examines speed-dependent associations between cognitive performance and DIERS-derived trunk–pelvis kinematics.

Sixty-four healthy young adults completed four cognitive tests and DIERS Formetric 4Dmotion assessment during static standing and treadmill walking at 1, 2, 4, and 5 km/h. Eight trunk–pelvis kinematic variables were examined using correlation, trend, linear mixed-effects, principal component, and canonical correlation analyses. Cognition–kinematic associations were predominantly observed at the faster walking conditions of 4 and 5 km/h, with correlations involving PASAT and spinal-curvature measures reaching r = − 0.700 and r = − 0.709, respectively.

Linear mixed-effects models identified significant Speed × SDMT interactions for sagittal imbalance (β = − 0.10, 95% CI − 0.14 to − 0.06; p