Kinematics of the transition between walking and running when gradually changing speed

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine kinematics of the walk-to-run transition (WRT) and run-to-walk transition (RWT) when speed is altered with a constant acceleration of 0.1 m s−2 , respectively −0.1 m s−2 . Thirteen women (height: 168.9 ± 3.36 cm) performed gait transitions on a motor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gait & posture 2007-09, Vol.26 (3), p.349-361
Main Authors: Segers, V, Lenoir, M, Aerts, P, De Clercq, D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acceleration
Adult
Ankle Joint - physiology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Biomechanics
Female
Foot - physiology
Gait transition
Hip Joint - physiology
Humans
Kinematics
Knee Joint - physiology
Male
Orthopedics
Range of Motion, Articular
Running
Running - physiology
Walking
Walking - physiology
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Summary:Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine kinematics of the walk-to-run transition (WRT) and run-to-walk transition (RWT) when speed is altered with a constant acceleration of 0.1 m s−2 , respectively −0.1 m s−2 . Thirteen women (height: 168.9 ± 3.36 cm) performed gait transitions on a motor-driven treadmill. WRT-speed was 2.16 ± 0.12 m s−1 , RWT-speed 2.19 ± 0.12 m s−1 . Kinematics were examined in the range from eight steps before to eight steps after transition in order to identify the possible occurrence of a transition process to facilitate the actual realization of transition. A transition step in which the main changes from one gait to another are realized is present in WRT and RWT. Despite this clear discontinuity, a transition process also appeared in both transitions. In the WRT, transition was prepared and kinematic adaptations were found in the last swing before transition leading to altered landing conditions. During RWT posttransition changes were observed and RWT was only completed after reorientation of the trunk in the first walking stride after transition. A noteworthy finding was that spatiotemporal (presence of a flight phase), kinematic (knee flexion) and energetic (kinetic and gravitational potential energy fluctuating in-phase versus out-of-phase) criteria to define transition stride correspond to each other. Furthermore, a functional interlimb asymmetry was recognized as a unique characteristic of the transition stride, offering a fourth way of identifying the transition stride.
ISSN:0966-6362
1879-2219
DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.10.013