RESEARCHERS at Essex University need 1,000 volunteers aged over 55 to see how people’s gait changes over time.

The Human Performance Unit is starting a ten-year study where they will monitor people’s mobility to see if how you walk shows health problems are developing.

The volunteers’ walk will analysed once a year for ten years to see if it changes.

Dr Matthew Taylor, biomechanics and gait expert, said: “Using reflective markers attached to the body allows us to look at a person’s gait in three dimensions in detail.

“Fromthis we can see if their gait changes over time and these changes may indicate there are problems.”

Changes to arm movement or step length during walking may indicate early signs of dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, possible problems elsewhere or an early indicator of the volunteer being at risk of falls.

Jo Jackson, a health professor leading the study, said: “Walking is an action we take for granted until we start to have a problem with it. We hope this research will give us a better understanding of how the ageing process affects walking.”

The researchers are hoping for a wide range of volunteers over 55 to take part, as long as they have not had surgery in the past three months and can walk without assistance.

The testing will take place in community centres and social clubs.

To take part, call Dr Taylor on 01206 872818 or e-mail gait@ essex.ac.uk