Abstract
[Purpose] Posture analysis has been used widely as a tool for gait evaluation. However, previous research on posture analysis has not considered the various types of crutch gait. The purpose of this study was to investigate the body posture of the non-crutch gait and types of crutch gait of healthy volunteers. [Methods] Using gait and position assessment equipment, the present study analysed the posture of healthy adult subjects in the superior view, anterior view, and lateral view during non-crutch gait, swing to crutch gait, swing through crutch gait, two-point crutch gait, and four-point crutch gait. [Results] In superior views, the angle of the shoulder area significantly increased in the negative direction at the starting position compared to the normal standing position. In anterior views, the angle of the shoulder and hand areas significantly decreased from the positive direction to the negative direction at the starting position compared to the normal position. In lateral views, the angle of the neck area significantly decreased in the negative direction at the starting position compared to the normal standing position. [Conclusion] These results demonstrate that body posture changed according to the type of crutch gait used by the healthy volunteers.
