Do lower-extremity joint dynamics change when stair negotiation is initiated with a self-selected comfortable gait speed?

Authors

Srikant Vallabhajosula, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Jenna M. Yentes, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Mira Momcilovic, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Daniel Blanke, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Nikolaos Stergiou, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2012

Abstract

Previous research on the biomechanics of stair negotiation has ignored the effect of the approaching speed. We examined if initiating stair ascent with a comfortable self-selected speed can affect the lower-extremity joint moments and powers as compared to initiating stair ascent directly in front of the stairs. Healthy young adults ascended a custom-built staircase instrumented with force platforms. Kinematics and kinetics data were collected simultaneously for two conditions: starting from farther away and starting in front of the stairs and analyzed at the first and second ipsilateral steps. Results showed that for the first step, participants produced greater peak knee extensor moment, peak hip extensor and flexor moments and peak hip positive power while starting from farther away. Also, for both the conditions combined, participants generated lesser peak ankle plantiflexor, greater peak knee flexor moment, lesser peak ankle negative power and greater peak hip negative power while encountering the first step. These results identify the importance of the starting position in experiments dealing with biomechanics of stair negotiation. Further, these findings have important implications for studying stair ascent characteristics of other populations such as older adults.

Comments

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Gait & Posture. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Gait & Posture, Vol. 35, Issue 2 (February 2012) DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.09.007

Journal Title

Gait & Posture

Volume

35

Issue

2

First Page

203

Last Page

208

Recommended Citation

Vallabhajosula, Srikant; Yentes, Jenna M.; Momcilovic, Mira; Blanke, Daniel; and Stergiou, Nikolaos, "Do lower-extremity joint dynamics change when stair negotiation is initiated with a self-selected comfortable gait speed?" (2012). Journal Articles. 64.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/biomechanicsarticles/64