Scientists reveal why walking gets so much harder with age

Australian researchers found that aging prompts the nervous system to favor stability over walking efficiency. This safety-first strategy makes the ankle stiffer and steadier but requires more effort, reduces forward power, and may contribute to fatigue and falls.

澳大利亚研究人员发现，随着年龄增长，神经系统会在走路时更重视稳定性而非效率。这种“安全优先”策略能使脚踝更僵硬、更稳定，但也会增加体力消耗、降低向前推进的力量，并可能导致疲劳和跌倒。