Relationships among Thoracic Lateral Deviation, Thoracic Shape, and Lateral Tilt Angle of the Shank in the Stance Phase of Gait

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated the relationships among thoracic lateral deviation, asymmetry of the thoracic shape, and asymmetry of the lateral tilt angle of the shank in the stance phase of gait. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 18 healthy males. The measurement items were the thoracic lateral deviation and asymmetry of the thoracic shape at standing rest, and the change of the outer tilt angle of the shank in the stance phase of gait. The cohort was divided into an all subjects group (n=18), a left deviation group (n=15), and a right deviation group (n=3) based on the degree of thoracic lateral deviation. [Results] In the all subjects group, the change of the outer tilt angle of the shank was significantly larger on the right side than on the left side in the early stance phase, and the same significant difference was observed in the left deviation group in both the early and late stance phases. In the late stance phase, the change of the outer tilt angle of the shank negatively correlated with the thoracic lateral deviation and positively correlated with the asymmetry of the lower thoracic shape. [Conclusion] These results suggest that increases of thoracic lateral deviation and asymmetry of the lower thoracic shape elicit greater outward movement of the shank on the right side.