Gait Biomechanics While Walking Down an Incline After Exhaustion

This gait biomechanics study investigated stride length (SL), stride duration (SDN), the peak values of ground reaction forces (GRFs(peak)), required coefficient of friction (RCOFpeak), leg joints' angles (angle(peak)), angular velocity (ang(velx.peak)), angular acceleration (ang(accx.peak)), minimum angle (angle(min.)) of the foot, and muscles' electromyography (EMG) during the stance phase (SP) of the dominant leg following an exhaustive stair ascent on a stair machine. Data were collected by a three-dimensional motion capture system synchronized with EMG and force plate while walking down a 10 degrees inclined stationary walkway. Although the leg muscles' EMG showed no significant local muscle fatigue (LMF) during post-exhaustive walking downwards, the SL was significantly (p < 0.05) shorter than the pre-exhaustive. The mean vertical GRFz(peak.) was significantly (p <= .01) reduced during late stance (LS) phase, however, the antero-posterior GRFy(peak.) was found to be significantly (p <= 0.01) higher. The RCOFpeak. was significantly (p <= .05) higher during the post-exhaustive walking downwards, LS phase. The available coefficient of friction value of similar to 0.350 seems to be the RCOF to reduce slips and falls on an inclined dry surface. None of the post-exhaustive lower limb joints' angle(peak), angle(min.), ang.(velx.peak), and ang.(accx.peak) were significantly changed in post-exhaustion walking, except the knee ang.(accx.peak.), which was significantly (p < 0.05) increased during the LS period. The constrained post-exhaustive gait biomechanics indicate a perturbed gait, which may increase the risks for slips and fall-related accidents, when walking downwards and working on slopes. However, the non-significant joint angle changes imply that walking down is less demanding in a kinesiological perspective compared to walking up an incline.

Automated summary

This gait biomechanics study examined various factors during the stance phase of the dominant leg after an exhaustive stair ascent. The results showed that post-exhaustive walking downwards led to a shorter stride length, a reduction in vertical ground reaction forces during late stance phase, and an increase in required coefficient of friction. However, there were no significant changes in joint angles, suggesting that walking downwards is less demanding than walking up an incline.