Original Article
Kinematic analysis of slipping when stepping
2016 Volume 7 Pages 102-106
Details
2016 Volume 7 Pages 102-106
Tamura T, Otaka Y, Nakamoto J, Kato K. Kinematic analysis of slipping when stepping. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2016; 7 : 102-106.
Objective: Slipping is a major cause of falls. We investigated body kinematics during slipping when stepping forward.
Methods: Five healthy adults (mean age, 22.2 ± 2.4 years) participated in the study. When the participants stepped forward with the right leg onto a treadmill, one of three types of slips (forward, lateral, or medial) was induced by rapid movement of the treadmill belt. The relationship between the base of support (BOS) and center of gravity (COG) was investigated using three-dimensional motion analysis.
Results: The COG was displaced anterolaterally during all three types of slips. On the horizontal plane, the COG often deviated from the BOS with large medial and lateral slips. Participants most often lost their balance with medial slips, when the COG deviated outside an altered BOS.
Conclusion: Postural control is difficult and is at increased risk of failure during slipping. The risk is greatest in medial slips, followed by lateral slips, and is least in forward slips.
