Authors
Moyer-BE; Redfern-MS; Cham-R
Source
Gait Posture 2009 Jun; 29(4):565-570
Abstract
This gait study characterizes the trailing leg's biomechanical response to slips. Twenty-eight healthy participants divided into two age groups (20-33 years and 55-67 years) were asked to walk in two conditions: a known dry floor and a glycerol-contaminated floor expected to be dry, inducing an unexpected slip of the leading foot at heel contact. Four slip-related trailing leg response strategies were identified, ranging from a minimal disruption of the swing phase to a premature (~50ms after toe off) interruption of the swing phase. Aging effects were minimal. The response of the leading/slipping leg preceded that of the trailing limb. The magnitude of the trailing leg's response was associated with that of the knee in the leading/slipping leg, suggesting interlimb coordination. The corrective moment at the knee of the trailing leg was also correlated with that measured at the hip in the same leg, suggesting intralimb coordination. The specific trailing leg's strategy used in a slip is partially determined by pre-slip walking patterns and early stance slip dynamics.
Keywords
Accidents; Accident-analysis; Age-groups; Biomechanics; Environmental-factors; Ergonomics; Fall-protection; Floors; Injuries; Occupational-accidents; Occupational-health; Physical-reactions; Physiological-measurements; Physiological-response; Surface-properties; Walking-surfaces;
Author Keywords: Slips; Falls; Trailing leg; Stepping; Hind leg; Gait; Coordination
Contact
R. Cham, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 3700 O'Hara Street, 740 Benedum Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
chamr@upmc.edu
Identifying No.
Grant-Number-R01-OH-007592; Grant-Number-R03-OH-007533
Source Name
Gait and Posture
Performing Organization
University of Pittsburgh