Article

Turning is a requirement for most locomotor tasks; however, knowledge of the
biomechanical requirements of successful turning is limited. Therefore, the aims
of this study were to investigate the spatio-temporal and lower-limb kinematics
of 90 degrees turning. Seventeen typically developing children, fitted with full
body and multi-segment foot marker sets, having performed both step (outside leg)
and spin (inside leg) turning strategies at self-selected velocity, were included
in the study. Three turning phases were identified: approach, turn, and depart.
Stride velocity and stride length were reduced for both turning strategies for
all turning phases (p<0.03 and p<0.01, respectively), while stance time and
stride width were increased during only select phases (p<0.05 and p<0.01,
respectively) for both turn conditions compared to straight gait. Many
spatio-temporal differences between turn conditions and phases were also found
(p<0.03). Lower-limb kinematics revealed numerous significant differences mainly
in the coronal and transverse planes for the hip, knee, ankle, midfoot, and
hallux between conditions (p<0.05). The findings summarized in this study help
explain how typically developing children successfully execute turns and provide
greater insight into the biomechanics of turning. This knowledge may be applied
to a clinical setting to help improve the management of gait disorders in
pathological populations, such as children with cerebral palsy.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS