The Influence of Walking Speed on Gait Patterns During Upslope Walking

摘要

Gait patterns were significantly influenced by the speed during level walking. This study aimed to characterize the effect of speed on gait kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters during upslope walking, as such data could be valuable in optimizing athletes' sport training and rehabilitation programs for patients with joint disorders. Forty-five healthy subjects (22 males, 23 females; mean age = 21.3 years (SD = 3.1); height = 1.69 meters (SD = 0.05); weight = 65.2 kg (SD = 7.8)) participated in the study. Participants walked on a treadmill at speeds of 1, 2, 3, and 4 km/h with slopes of 8 degrees, and 15 degrees during which three-dimensional kinematics data were recorded. The spatiotemporal parameters and the joint angles at hip, knee and ankle were calculated. Analyses of the data showed that most parameters of interest were significantly influenced by gait speed during upslope walking. With increasing walking speed, both the cadence and step length increased, whereas the double limb stance duration decreased. The subjects increased joint motions as they walked faster. During 8 degrees upslope walking, the joint ROMs increased from 44.7 degrees at 1 km/h to 57.9 degrees at 4 km/h for the hip joint, from 45.9 degrees to 61.6 degrees for the knee joint, and from 31.1 degrees to 37.8 degrees for the ankle joint. The data improved our understanding of biomechanical requirements across speeds during slope walking, and suggested that upslope walking might be an effective way for sports training and rehabilitation of patients with joint injuries.