Article

Gait initiation (GI) has been the focus of many investigations in order to
determine the kinematic and kinetic parameters associated with this process. In
these studies, the parameters are observed during GI with the preferential lower
limb. However, none of these studies have looked at the impact on GI parameters
when the start is achieved with the non-preferential limb. This investigation
focused on the effects of lower limb preference on the kinematic and kinetic
parameters of GI. Upon display of a visual cue, subjects stepped with
preferential limb or non-preferential limb at natural speed. The duration of GI
phases, the medio-lateral component of the center of mass (CM) displacement, the
medio-lateral distance between the center of pressure and the CM, the step width
as well as the medio-lateral impulse, were observed. When subjects started with
the non-preferential limb, the bodyweight transfer was facilitated by a greater
impulse during the anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) phase. Conversely, a
more lateral CM displacement during the execution phase and a more lateral step
in preferential start were observed. Asymmetry in frontal plane body motion was
observed during weight transfer following APA, as well as during assistive
control of ballistic body motion during the execution phase of the first step. In
both conditions, the non-preferential limb provided the greater lateral impulse
on the ground. This may have clinical relevance especially in individuals with
unilateral limb dyscontrol and postural asymmetry that may require
rehabilitation.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS