Multidomain mobility and cognition across the adult lifespan: Stride velocity and cadence are associated with executive function in older adulthood

Gait speed has been associated with executive function in aging. To date, few studies have examined multiple mobility measures in parallel across the adult lifespan. Understanding how distinct aspects of mobility are associated with executive function may clarify modifiable behavioral targets to promote healthy aging. Community-dwelling adults (N = 223, Mage [SD] = 52.7 years [17.5], range = 18-85 years; 135 females) from the Fitness, Aging, Stress, and Traumatic Brain Injury Exposure Repository completed mobility and cognitive testing. Spatiotemporal gait and static balance were assessed using LEGSys and BalanSens accelerometer sensors. A composite measure of executive function was derived from subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (Digit Span backward, sequencing) and Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (Trail Making Test-number-letter switching, color-word interference-inhibition, inhibition switching). Relative importance analyses explored contributions of mobility measures to executive function in relatively older adults (55+ years) and relatively younger adults (18-54 years). Hierarchical linear regressions examined mobility-executive function associations in each age group. Static balance contributed to executive function in both groups, whereas gait cycle measures explained variance in executive function among older adults. Among older adults, stride velocity (β = 0.13, p = .028) and cadence (β = 0.12, p = .048) explained an additional 3.4% and 2.8% of variance in executive function beyond age and education. No associations were observed among younger adults. Mobility and cognition relationships may differ across adulthood. In older adulthood, cadence emerged as a distinct mobility marker of executive function beyond gait speed, underscoring distinct features of gait as potential modifiable lifestyle variables important for healthy aging. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).