Article

There may be concerns about the validity of kinetic models when studying locomotion in obese subjects (OS). The aim of the present study was to improve and validate a relevant representation of obese Subject from four kinetic models. Fourteen teenagers with severe primary obesity (BMI = 40 +/- 5.2 kg/m(2)), were Studied during jumping. The jumps were filmed by six cameras (synchronized, 50 Hz), associated with a force-plate (1000 Hz). All the tested models were valid; the linear mechanical analysis of the jumps gave similar results (P > 0.05); but there were significantly different segment inertias when considering the subjects' abdomen (p < 0.01), which was associated with a significantly higher mechanical internal energy expenditure (p < 0.01) than that estimated from Dempster's and Hanavan's model, by about 40 and 30%. The validation of a modelling specifically for obese subjects will enable a better understanding of their locomotion. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS