Are transitions in human gait determined by mechanical, kinetic or energetic factors?

Full Abstract

It is currently unclear whether it is the need to maintain metabolic efficiency, the need to keep skeletal loading below critical force levels, or simple mechanical factors that drive the walk-to-run (W-R) and run-to-walk (R-W) transitions in human gait. Eighteen adults (9 males and 9 females) locomoted on an instrumented treadmill using their preferred gait. Each completed 2 ascending (W-R) and 2 descending (R-W) series of trials under three levels of loading (0%, 15% and 30% body weight). For each trial, participants locomoted for 60 s at each of 9 different speeds--4 speeds both above and below their preferred transition speed (PTS) plus their PTS. Evidence was sought for critical levels of key kinetic (maximum vertical force, impulse, first peak force, time to first peak force and maximum loading rate), energetic (oxygen consumption, transport cost) and mechanical variables (limb lengths, strength) predictive of the gait transition. Analyses suggested the kinetic variables of time to first peak force and loading rate as the most likely determinants of the W-R and R-W transitions.Copyright 2003 Elsevier Science B.V.

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Author information

Author/s: Raynor, Annette J (AJ); Yi, Chow Jia (CJ); Abernethy, Bruce (B); Jong, Quek Jin (QJ);

Affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Holbrooks Road, Underdale, SA 5032, Australia. annette.raynor(-atsign-)unisa.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Human movement science (Hum Mov Sci), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Dec; vol 21 (issue 5-6) : pp 785-805

Dates: Created 2003/03/06; Completed 2003/04/30; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 12620720, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Biomechanics
Energy Metabolism - physiology
Female
Gait - physiology
Humans
Isometric Contraction - physiology
Kinetics

Male
Oxygen - physiology
Postural Balance - physiology
Posture - physiology
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
Running - physiology
Walking - physiology
Weight-Bearing - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Oxygen (7782-44-7)

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