Loading...
Postural control and stepping kinematics of multidirectional gait initiation
Chen, Kuanting
Chen, Kuanting
Citations
Altmetric:
Soloist
Composer
Publisher
Date
2023-05-08
Additional date(s)
Abstract
Background: Understanding the anticipatory postural adjustments (APA) and stepping characteristics associated
with gait initiation (GI) has enhanced the approaches used for gait rehabilitation, the design of adaptive devices, and
the development of fall prevention programs. However, previous studies have primarily concentrated on forward GI.
Therefore, the movement characteristics of multidirectional GI, which is common in daily activities and sports,
remain unknown. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the APA parameters and stepping kinematics of healthy
young adults when performing multidirectional GI with the effect of an obstacle (presence versus absence) and
stepping leg (right versus left). Methods: Fourteen right-leg dominant young adults (Female: N = 7; age: 22.4 ± 2.4)
performed five trials of GI at their comfortable pace. Experimental conditions included legs, obstacle (a 15cm-height
hurdle), and directions (forward: F00, lateral: L90, medial 45 degrees: M45, lateral 45 degrees: L45). Repeated
Measure ANOVAs (directions, obstacle, legs as within factors) with Bonferroni post hoc were used to assess the
statistical significance. Results: APA duration and mediolateral (ML), anteroposterior(AP) COP displacement
decreased as the stepping direction shifted laterally from F00 to L90. Similar pattern of change was observed in the
COP velocity metrics. Step distance decreased as the laterality increased from M45 to L90, yet the step durations
remained consistent throughout directions in GI without an obstacle. Step variability was the greatest in L90. The
presence of an obstacle significantly increased ML COP displacement, step distance, step duration, step velocity,
and step variability. On average, the dominant leg stepping had longer APA duration and step duration, while the
ML COP velocity in the APA phase were slower in all stepping directions. Significance: These findings
demonstrate the unique characters of multidirectional GI and provide clinical relevance to the improvement of the
movement versatility of gait rehabilitation programs for individuals recovering from lower limb impairments.
Contents
Subject
Kinesiology
Anticipatory postural adjustment
Postural control
Step initiation
Step kinematics
Anticipatory postural adjustment
Postural control
Step initiation
Step kinematics
Subject(s)
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Genre
Thesis
Description
Format
Department
Kinesiology