Posture stability in lateral slope walking

L. H. Wang, H. M. Hsieh, C. Y. Huang, Y. C. Peng, F. C. Su

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the dynamic posture stability during lateral slop walking in terms of temporal distance parameters of gait cycle and the center of pressure (COP) and compare the differences between the side step and cross step. Materials & Methods: An EVaRT system with nineteen reflective markers, two force plates, and the foot switch sensors were used to measure the body movements, ground reaction forces and temporal parameters, respectively, during lateral walking on an inclined walkway with 5° tilt. Twelve normal subjects participated in this study. The subjects were instructed to walk with right leg leading from the bottom to the top of the slope at the self-selected speed using side step and cross step, respectively. The data were collected for 8 seconds for each trial. Results: Different gait pattern was found in the first and second force plate during the cross-step and the side-step walking. The result indicated that the increasing degree of inclination of the slope would cause the factor of unstable posture. The value of anterior/posterior deviation of the cross-step walking was larger than the side-step walking (P <.05). The maximal shift velocity of COP in the single-right foot stance phase during the side-step walking was much faster than in the cross-step walking (P <.05). The similar result was obtained in the single-left foot stance phase (P <.05). Conclusions: The primary finding of the study is that the cross-step walking is more unstable than the side-step walking. And the forward velocity of the cross-step walking is faster than the side-step walking. If there are unstable factors of cross-step walking concluded, the less smooth gait will be expected.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication25th Southern Biomedical Engineering Conference 2009
Pages347-348
Number of pages2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Event25th Southern Biomedical Engineering Conference 2009 - Miami, FL, United States
Duration: 2009 May 152009 May 17

Publication series

NameIFMBE Proceedings
Volume24
ISSN (Print)1680-0737

Other

Other25th Southern Biomedical Engineering Conference 2009
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMiami, FL
Period09-05-1509-05-17

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Bioengineering
  • Biomedical Engineering

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