The Mechanisms Involved in Moving from a Kneeling Position to a Forward Step Movement

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to clarify the mechanisms involved in moving from a kneeling position to a forward step movement.

Methods: We investigated the forward step movement from a kneeling position in 11 normal subjects. The series of movements were divided into four phases using center of pressure (COP) movement: phase I involved COP movement to the front of the stepping leg; phase II involved COP movement to the back of the supporting leg; phase III involved a left backward-left forward COP mobile phase; and phase IV involved a left forward-right forward COP mobile phase.

Results: Prior to COP movement, we found that the left adductor longus muscle and right gluteus medius muscle showed activity. For phase I, the center of gravity (COG) was observed at the back of the supporting leg. For phase II, the right back movement of COG continued. For phase III, the left forward movement of COG occurred. For phase IV, the right forward movement of COG occurred.

Conclusions: In the forward step movement from kneeling, we propose that it starts from COP movement to the front of the stepping leg and COG movement to the back of the supporting leg. The supporting side adductor longus muscles and stepping side gluteus medius muscles stat activity before COP movement, which is essential to the forward step movement from kneeling.