Kinematic analysis of the Balance Walking Test

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the kinematics of the Balance Walk ing Test to measure the time needed to walk slowly along a 20-cm wide and 5-m long course without deviating from it. The activities of the rectus femoris, long head of the bi ceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and medial head of the gastrocnemius, in addition to gait pa rameters, were measured during gait using a surface electromyograph and gait analysis device, respectively, involving 16 healthy adult females. The balance walking, which sub jects walk as slowly as possible, significantly increased the gait velocity and durations of the stance, double support, and swing phases, and significantly degreased the step and stride lengths and cadence against normal speed walking. Concerning muscle activity, the balance walking significantly increased the muscle activity of rectus femoris, long head of the biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle during the stance phase against normal speed walking. These results support the usefulness of this test in various settings, as it does not require specific devices or areas, and allows sim ple testing procedures.