Change of toe distance and heel distance by the difference of height of obstacles

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of a double obstacle condition on toe-distance and heel-distance of stepping over by young subjects. The experiment was performed in a large room with a straight 8 m travel path available for the subjects to walk along. Avoidance strategy was defined in terms of toe-obstacle and heel-distance at obstacle crossing. Double obstacle trials revealed that presence and position of a second obstacle in travel path influences trial limb toe-distance and heel-distance for both first and second obstacles.