Biomechanics effects of the trunk inclination on gait

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of the trunk inclination on biomechanical parameters of gait for healthy males. Ten healthy males were asked to walk in three different trunk inclinations: (1) normal for subjects, (2) with trunk leaned 10°forward, and (3) with leaned 10°backward. The gait motion was analyzed with a Vicon 612 system and two Kistler force platforms. In the forward lean gait, increases in hip flexion and knee flexion angles were observed during the stance phase. Increases in hip extension joint torque and positive joint torque power during the stance phase were likely to contribute to keep the trunk forward and swing the lower limb. In case of the backward lean gait, increases in hip flexion, knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion angles were observed during the stance phase. These changes observed during the stance phase compensated the position of the pelvis to offset the effect of the trunk inclination. Increases in hip flexion joint torque and negative joint torque power during the stance phase seemed to be induced by the trunk position.