Influence of the Step Height on the Shoulder and Pelvic Girdles When Ascending a Step

Abstract

This study examined the influence of the step height on the shoulder and pelvic girdles when ascending a step. [Participants and Methods] Seventeen healthy males initially stood still, and then ascended a step as a task. The step height was set at 10 or 20 cm. For measurement, a 3-dimensional motion analysis device and ground reaction force meter were used. The vertical component of the ground reaction force showed a bimodal curve. Based on this, the total measurement time was divided into various periods to calculate the amounts of change in the shoulder and pelvic girdle angles in the horizontal and frontal planes. [Results] Within the period from placing the leading leg on the step and moving the body forward and upward to taking the following leg off the ground, the pelvic girdle rotated in the horizontal plane toward the following leg when the step height was 10 cm, and toward the leading leg when it was 20 cm. [Conclusion] When ascending a higher step, the pelvic girdle rotates toward the leading leg, possibly to compensate for the increased vertical distance.