Article

Outdoor activities are a popular form of recreation, with hiking being the most
popular outdoor activity as well as being the most prevalent in terms of injury.
Over the duration of a hike, trekkers will encounter many different sloped
terrains. Not much is known about the required traction or foot-floor kinematics
during locomotion on these sloped surfaces, therefore, the purpose was to
determine the three-dimensional foot-floor kinematics and required traction
during level, downhill, uphill and cross-slope walking. Ten participants
performed level, uphill, downhill and cross-slope walking along a 19 degrees
inclined walkway. Ground reaction force data as well as 3D positions of retro
reflective markers attached to the shoe were recorded using a Motion Analysis
System. Peak traction coefficients and foot-floor kinematics during sloped
walking were compared to level walking. When walking along different sloped
surfaces, the required traction coefficients at touchdown were not different from
level walking, therefore, the increased likelihood of heel slipping during hiking
is potentially due to the presence of loose material (rocks, dirt) on hiking
slopes, rather than the overall lack of traction. Differences in required
traction were seen at takeoff, with uphill and cross-sloped walking requiring a
greater amount of traction compared to level walking. Changes in sagittal plane,
frontal plane and transverse plane foot-floor angles were seen while walking on
the sloped surfaces. Rapid foot-floor eversion was observed during cross-slope
walking which could place the hiker at risk of injury with a misstep or if there
was a slight slip.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS