Slow Down already...

"too much tripping, soles worn thin.... too much trippin and my souls worn thin"
Scott Weiland: Stone Temple Pilots

Nothing earth shattering here. Tripping (no, not THAT kind) can be due to many variables including biomechanical as well as alterations in surfaces and/or terrain. For probable proprioceptive reasons and less brain "interpolation", walking slower decreases your trip risk. This study looked at minimal clearance of the great toe (requiring adequate ankle dorsiflexion as well as great toe dorsiflexion). This was classically used to determine trip risk. This new measure called the "trip risk integral" calculates stability throughout the gait cycle rather than just a single point in time.

The results?
 "... slower gait is both an important covariate and potential intervention for trip-related falls."

our conclusion: Look at the WHOLE gait cycle, not just at one point intime...

Schulz BW A new measure of trip risk integrating minimum foot clearance and dynamic stability across the swing phase of gait. J Biomech. 2017 Apr 11;55:107-112. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.02.024. Epub 2017 Feb 27.