A literature review of the biomechanics of turning during walking

Abstract

To provide more effective instructions for walking exercise in physical therapy, this study reviewed the biomechanics of turning during walking. Forty-one studies were found in PubMed using search terms related to “turning” and “biomechanics:” Twenty analyses of kinematics, eight analyses of kinetics, nine analyses of kinematics and kinetics, one analysis of kinematics and electrophysiology, and three analyses of kinematics, kinetics, and electrophysiology. The points where a unified view was found are as follows: 1) Performing turning required exertion of ankle plantarflexion torque and activation of hip abductor muscles; 2) The ground reaction force waveform and muscle activation of turning were similar to gait termination; 3) The turning angle was related to the variation of step length and rotation of the torso and pelvis. However, the joint torque and muscle activation of the torso were not analyzed. To perform physical therapy for turning, we suggest that strengthening ankle plantarflexion torque and activation of hip abductor muscles are necessary.