Leg and lower limb dynamic joint stiffness during different walking speeds in healthy adults. 2020

Abdel-Rahman Akl, and Arnold Baca, and Jim Richards, and Filipe Conceição
Faculty of Physical Education (Abo Qir), Alexandria University, Abo Qir, 21913, Alexandria, Egypt; Porto Biomechanics Laboratory (LABIOMEP), Rua Dr. Plácido Costa, 91, 4200-450, Porto, Portugal; University of Vienna, Department of Biomechanics, Kinesiology and Applied Computer Science, Austria. Electronic address: abdelrahman.akl@alexu.edu.eg.

The differences and relationship between joint stiffness and leg stiffness can be used to characterize the lower limb behavior during different walking speeds. This study aimed to investigate the differences in whole leg and lower limb joint stiffness at different walking speeds and the interactions between leg and lower limb joint stiffness. Twenty-seven healthy adults, seventeen males (age: 19.6 ± 2.2 years, height: 176.0 ± 6.0 cm, mass: 69.7 ± 8.9 kg), and ten females (age: 19.1 ± 1.9 years, height: 164.0 ± 3.0 cm, mass: 59.6 ± 3.8 kg), were recruited. Dynamic leg and joint stiffness were calculated during eccentric loading from data recorded using 3D infrared motion analysis and force plates at slow, normal, and fast walking speeds. Differences in dynamic stiffness, joint angles and moments were explored between the walking speeds using Repeated Measures ANOVA with Sidak post-hoc tests. Correlations between leg, joint stiffness, and walking speed were also explored. The results indicated that the leg dynamic stiffness is decreased by walking speed, however, hip and ankle joint stiffness were increased (p < 0.001) and knee stiffness was unaffected. Leg stiffness showed no correlation with hip, knee, or ankle stiffness. A positive significant correlation was seen between hip and ankle stiffness (p < 0.01) and between knee and ankle stiffness (p < 0.001), however, no correlation was seen between hip and knee stiffness. These results suggest leg stiffness is not associated with lower limb joint stiffness during eccentric loading. This provides new information on the responses of ankle, knee and hip joint stiffness to walking speed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000072797 Walking Speed The rate at which steps are made while walking. Gait Speed,Walking Pace,Gait Speeds,Pace, Walking,Paces, Walking,Speed, Gait,Speed, Walking,Speeds, Gait,Speeds, Walking,Walking Paces,Walking Speeds
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001696 Biomechanical Phenomena The properties, processes, and behavior of biological systems under the action of mechanical forces. Biomechanics,Kinematics,Biomechanic Phenomena,Mechanobiological Phenomena,Biomechanic,Biomechanic Phenomenas,Phenomena, Biomechanic,Phenomena, Biomechanical,Phenomena, Mechanobiological,Phenomenas, Biomechanic
D055815 Young Adult A person between 19 and 24 years of age. Adult, Young,Adults, Young,Young Adults
D035002 Lower Extremity The region of the lower limb in animals, extending from the gluteal region to the FOOT, and including the BUTTOCKS; HIP; and LEG. Extremity, Lower,Lower Limb,Membrum inferius,Extremities, Lower,Limb, Lower,Limbs, Lower,Lower Extremities,Lower Limbs
D064368 Healthy Volunteers Persons with no known significant health problems who are recruited to participate in research to test a new drug, device, or intervention as controls for a patient group. (from http://clinicalcenter.nih.gov/recruit/volunteers.html, accessed 2/14/2013) Healthy Participants,Healthy Subjects,Human Volunteers,Normal Volunteers,Healthy Participant,Healthy Subject,Healthy Volunteer,Human Volunteer,Normal Volunteer,Participant, Healthy,Participants, Healthy,Subject, Healthy,Subjects, Healthy,Volunteer, Healthy,Volunteer, Human,Volunteer, Normal,Volunteers, Human,Volunteers, Normal

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