Article

Lower limb joint loadings are increased during sloped walking compared to level
walking and muscle forces are major contributors to lower limb joint forces.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze lower limb muscle forces during
sloped walking at different inclinations. Eighteen healthy male participants
(27.0+/-4.7y, 1.80+/-0.05m, 74.5+/-8.2kg) walked at a pre-set speed of 1.1m/s on
a ramp at the inclinations of 0 degrees , +/-6 degrees , +/-12 degrees and +/-18
degrees . Kinematic data were captured with a motion capture system and kinetic
data were recorded with two force plates imbedded into the ramp. A
musculoskeletal model was used to compute lower limb muscle forces (normalized to
body weight and gait cycle duration). During downhill walking gluteus maximus,
quadriceps, soleus, peroneus and tibialis anterior muscle forces increased
(p</=0.002) compared to level walking, while gluteus minimus, piriformis,
adductor, iliopsoas, hamstrings and gastrocnemii muscle forces decreased
(p</=0.002). Uphill walking decreased gluteus minimus, iliopsoas and tibialis
anterior muscle forces (p</=0.002), while all other muscle forces increased
(p</=0.002, except gluteus medius). Joint-muscle-force waveforms provided
information on possible muscle contributions to joint compression forces. The
most important muscles were: gluteus medius for hip forces, quadriceps and
gastrocnemii for tibiofemoral forces, quadriceps for patellofemoral forces and
triceps surae for ankle forces. The contribution of each muscle changed with the
inclination during sloped walking compared to level walking. The current study
provided important information on muscle forces during sloped walking that can be
useful for rehabilitation and training procedures.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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