title: Estimating Gait Stability: Asymmetrical Loading Effects Measured Using Margin of Stability and Local Dynamic Stability.
abstract: Changes to intersegmental locomotor control patterns may affect body stability. Our study aimed to (a) characterize upper body dynamic stability in response to the unilateral addition of mass to the lower extremity and (b) evaluate the efficacy of 2 different stability measures commonly used in the literature to detect resulting symmetrical step pattern modifications across the weighted segments (spatial) and between epochs of the gait cycle (temporal). Young adults walked on a treadmill while unloaded or with weights applied unilaterally to their foot, shank, or thigh. Both margin of stability and local dynamic stability (LDS) estimates detected similar trends of distal segment weighting resulting in more unstable upper body movement compared to proximal weighting; however only LDS detected anteroposterior changes in upper body stability over time.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences , University of Guelph , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Timothy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Worden
authors.affiliation: a Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences , University of Guelph , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Shawn M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Beaudette
authors.affiliation: a Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences , University of Guelph , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Stephen H M
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: a Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences , University of Guelph , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Lori Ann
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Vallis
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D060726:Torso / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adaptation; asymmetrical leg loading; gait; local dynamic stability; margin of stability; neuromuscular control