Article

'Cautious' gait is generally characterized by wider and shorter steps. However,
we do not clearly understand the relationship between step characteristics and
individuals' stability.
Here, we examined the effects of voluntarily altering
step width (SW) and step length (SL) on individuals' margins of stability.
Fourteen participants completed three 3-min treadmill walking trials during three
SL (short, normal with metronome, and long) and three SW (narrow, normal and
wide) manipulation conditions. SL manipulations yielded significant changes in
mean anterior-posterior (AP) margins of stability (MOS(ap)) (p<0.0005) but not
mediolateral (ML) margins of stability (MOS(ml)) (p>/=0.0579). Taking wider steps
increased mean MOS(ml) while decreasing MOS(ap) (p<0.0005). Walking with either
wider or long steps, each of which increases the base of support, yielded
increased AP and ML MOS variability (p</=0.0468). Step-to-step analysis of
MOS(ml) indicated that subjects took stable steps followed immediately by stable
steps. Overall, short-term, voluntary adoption of wider steps may help increase
instantaneous lateral stability but shorter steps did not change lateral
stability during unperturbed walking. We suggest that the observed changes in
stability margins be considered in gait training programs which recommend short-term changes in step characteristics to improve stability.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS