title: The Influence of the Aquatic Environment on Gait Initiation: A Pilot Study.
abstract: Aquatic therapies are used to restore step initiation in people with locomotor disabilities. However, there is lack of evidence of underlining mechanisms of gait initiation in water. We investigated center of pressure (CoP), vertical and anterior-posterior impulse forces, and kinematics of the first step performed in water in comparison with overground walking. The peaks of anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) and the sections of CoP trajectories were longer in water than on land. Impulse forces were increased in water compared with land. Range of motion (ROM) of ankle joint increased in water while knee joint ROM did not change. We suggest that the aquatic environment may facilitate gait initiation training by allowing a longer step execution with greater stimuli and imposed resistance for the phases of gait initiation.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Toronto.
authors.forename: Andresa R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Marinho-Buzelli
authors.affiliation: 2 Cruzeiro do Sul University.
authors.forename: Ana Maria Forti
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Barela
authors.affiliation: 2 Cruzeiro do Sul University.
authors.forename: Jose Angelo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Barela
authors.affiliation: 2 Cruzeiro do Sul University.
authors.forename: Melissa Leandro
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Celestino
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Toronto.
authors.forename: Milos R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Popovic
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Toronto.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verrier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014867:Water; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014867:Water
keywords: anticipatory postural adjustment; aquatic environment; center of pressure; gait initiation; impulse forces; kinematics