Walking speed, cadence and step length are selected to optimize the stability of head and pelvis accelerations.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that an individual's preferred or usual walking speed, step length and cadence optimize the stability of head and pelvic accelerations in vertical (V), anterior-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) planes when walking. Acceleration patterns of the head and pelvis were recorded in ten healthy young adults as they walked on a level surface in three separate experiments: (1) walking at five different speeds, ranging from very slow to very fast; (2) walking in time to a metronome set at five different cadences, ranging from 33 to 167% of subjects' usual cadence; and (3) walking at five different step lengths varying from very short to very long while keeping in time with a metronome set at cadences 67, 100 and 125% of usual cadence. The results indicated that acceleration patterns in the V and AP planes were most stable when subjects walked at their usual cadence and step length. In the ML plane, stability was suboptimal, but still adequate, with the usual cadence and step length. The findings suggest that healthy young people walk in a manner that maximizes V and AP stability while maintaining adequate, though suboptimal ML stability.
Latt
Mark D
MD
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
Menz
Hylton B
HB
Fung
Victor S
VS
Lord
Stephen R
SR
D000054:Acceleration; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D010388:Pelvis / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology; D013998:Time Perception / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
Gait Posture. 2003 Aug;18(1):35-46
12855299
J Neurophysiol. 1995 Jun;73(6):2302-12
7666140
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001 Jan;82(1):31-5
11239283
Am J Phys Med. 1971 Dec;50(6):285-300
5141651
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1997 Nov;26(5):266-72
9353690
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2001 Dec;49(12):1646-50
11843998
J Gerontol. 1993 Sep;48(5):M225-30
8366265
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1969 Mar;50(3):140-6
5774009
J Biomech. 2000 Nov;33(11):1433-40
10940402
Gait Posture. 2003 Oct;18(2):27-36
14654205
Am J Phys Med. 1966 Feb;45(1):8-23
5903893
Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1991;62(2):99-103
2022210
Exp Brain Res. 1999 Jul;127(2):117-30
10442403
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1995 Nov;50 Spec No:64-7
7493221
Int Rehabil Med. 1980;2(4):177-80
7239777
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003 May;58(5):M446-52
12730255
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004 Feb;85(2):245-52
14966709
J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2005 Jul 31;2:23
16053531
J Gerontol. 1984 Nov;39(6):662-6
6491179
J Physiol. 1976 Nov;262(3):639-57
1011078
J Appl Physiol. 1963 Jan;18:1-9
14019429
J Orthop Res. 1988;6(2):215-22
3343627
Gait Posture. 2005 Feb;21(2):164-70
15639395
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1970 Jul;51(7):423-6
5433607
Gait Posture. 2004 Aug;20(1):20-5
15196515
J Biomech. 1977;10(5-6):367-75
893475
J Am Geriatr Soc. 1997 Mar;45(3):313-20
9063277
Age Ageing. 2003 Mar;32(2):137-42
12615555