Journal
CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS
Volume 24, Issue 2, Pages 190-195Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2008.10.005
Keywords
Trunk inclination; Able-bodied gait; Gait patterns
Categories
Funding
- International Campus on Safety and Intermodality in Transportation
- Region Nord Pas de Calais
- European Community
- Delegation Regionale A la Recherche et A la Technologie
- Ministere de l'Enseignement Superieur et de la Recherche
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
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Background: Though the effect of imposed trunk posture affects walking patterns little is known about the effect of natural orientation of the trunk on gait. The objectives of this study are to test if the lower limb joint and thoraco-lumbar moments are similar in subjects who maintain an average natural forward or backward trunk inclination during gait and verify if the lower limbs are equally affected. Methods: Twenty-five young men were divided according to their natural backward or forward trunk inclination during level walking. Ankle, knee, hip and thoraco-lumbar moments were calculated by an inverse dynamic approach for the two limbs. A two-way ANOVA was performed on peak lower limb moments. A one-way ANOVA was performed on thoraco-lumbar peak moments. Findings: There was a main effect for both trunk inclinations and lower limb sides but no interaction. For the forward leaners, the duration of hip extension moment was longer (P < 0.001) while the hip flexion moment was 1.3 times smaller (P < 0.001). Differences between the lower limb sides were noted in all joints but at push-off of the stance phase only. The two thoraco-lumbar extension moments were, respectively, 1.4 times higher for the forward leaners while the two flexion moments were approximately 1.4 times higher for the backward leaners. Interpretations: The backward leaners propel themselves with a strong hip flexor activity at push-off while the forward leaners use their hip muscles throughout stance. These results support the idea that trunk inclinations and moment variations are associated with the type of walking patterns. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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