Locomotion pattern and foot pressure adjustments during gentle turns in healthy subjects

Abstract

People suffering from locomotor impairment find turning manoeuvres more challenging than straight-ahead walking. Turning manoeuvres are estimated to comprise a substantial proportion of steps taken daily, yet research has predominantly focused on straight-line walking, meaning that the basic kinetic, kinematic and foot pressure adaptations required for turning are not as well understood. We investigated how healthy subjects adapt their locomotion patterns to accommodate walking along a gently curved trajectory (radius 2.75m). Twenty healthy adult participants performed walking tasks at self-selected speeds along straight and curved pathways. For the first time for this mode of turning, plantar pressures were recorded using insole foot pressure sensors while participants' movements were simultaneously tracked using marker-based 3D motion capture. During the steady-state strides at the apex of the turn, the mean operating point of the inside ankle shifted by 1 degree towards dorsiflexion and that for the outside ankle shifted towards plantarflexion. The largest change in relative joint angle range was an increase in hip rotation in the inside leg (>60%). In addition, the inside foot was subject to a prolonged stance phase and a 10% increase in vertical force in the posteromedial section of the foot compared to straight-line walking. Most of the mechanical change required was therefore generated by the inside leg with hip rotation being a major driver of the gentle turn. This study provides new insight into healthy gait during gentle turns and may help us to understand the mechanics behind some forms of impairment.

Abnormal gait pattern emerges during curved trajectories in high-functioning Parkinsonian patients walking in line at normal speed

“…Curved walking entails definite reorganization within the gait cycle. Changes in the duration of the single and double support phase and the respective differences between the inner and outer foot were observed in the present healthy aged subjects, and repeated those observed previously in younger persons walking along curved trajectories [ 6 , 10 , 11 , 15 ]. In the high-functioning PD patients studied here, the changes in duration of the single support and of the swing phase broadly replicated the changes from straight to curved walking observed in the HS.…”

“…Curvilinear trajectories represent a challenge for the elderly [ 15 , 16 ], because of the associated cognitive involvement, and bear a consistent risk of falling [ 17 , 18 ]. In patients with neurological disorders, more severe walking problems have been detected during curved than linear trajectories [ 7 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Dynamic stability and spatiotemporal parameters during turning in healthy young adults

“…According to whether there are obvious transition steps or not, turns can be divided into “steady-state” turns, such as circular walking, and “transient” turns, such as 90° turns [ 5 , 6 ]. The latter can be performed using two turning strategies: (1) step turn, turning toward the contralateral side of the stance limb (outside leg strategy); (2) spin turn, turning to the ipsilateral direction of the stance limb (inside leg strategy) [ 7 ].…”

Effects of walking speed and slope on pedobarographic findings in young healthy adults

“…[1–7] Increased plantar pressure and abnormal distribution of foot pressure could cause mechanical pain and biomechanical imbalance. [7,8] As pressure is defined as force per unit area perpendicular to the contact surface,[9] subject-related factors such as weight, area of contact, vertical acceleration of the foot at the time of ground contact, plantar soft tissue property, and shoe wear as well as other factors could possibly affect foot pressure.…”