Article

Maintaining mediolateral (ML) balance is very important to prevent falling during
walking, especially at very slow speeds. The effect of walking speed on support
and propulsion of the center of mass (COM) has been focus of previous studies.
However, the influence of speed on ML COM control and the associated coupling
with sagittal plane control remains unclear. Simulations of walking at very slow
and normal speeds were generated for twelve healthy subjects. Our results show
that gluteus medius (GMED) contributions to ML stability decrease, while its
contributions to sagittal plane accelerations increase during very slow compared
to normal walking. Simultaneously the destabilizing influence of gravity
increases in ML direction at a very slow walking speed. This emphasizes the need
for a tight balance between gravity and gluteus medius action to ensure ML
stability. When walking speed increases, GMED has a unique role in controlling ML
acceleration and therefore stabilizing ML COM excursion. Contributions of other
muscles decrease in all directions during very slow speed. Increased
contributions of these muscles are therefore required to provide for both
stability and propulsion when walking speed increases.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS