title: The stance phase of walking during late pregnancy: temporospatial and ground reaction force variables.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate temporospatial and ground reaction force variables in the stance phase of walking during late pregnancy. An eight-camera motion-analysis system was used to record 13 pregnant women at 38 weeks' gestation and again 8 weeks after birth. In late pregnancy, there was a wider step width, and mediolateral ground reaction force tended to be increased in a medial direction. The center of pressure moved more medially initially and less anteriorly at 100% of stance in late pregnancy. The differences suggest that women may adapt their gait to maximize stability in the stance phase of walking and to control mediolateral motion.
authors.affiliation: Tanilba Bay, Australia.
authors.forename: Janelle K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lymbery
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gilleard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*