Biomechanics and Variables of Walking Gait

Erik R. Robbins
Exercise Physiology Final Paper

Reference
Voloshina, A., Kuo, A. D., Daley, M. & Ferris, D. P. (2013). Biomechanics and energetics of
walking on uneven terrain. Journal of Experimental Biology. Retrieved from
http://jeb.biologists.org/content/216/21/3963.long
Tung-wu Lu, I-pin Wei, Yen-hung Liu, Wei-chun Hsu, Ting-ming Wang, Chu-fen Chang and
Jaung-geng Lin (2010). Immediate effects of acupuncture on gait patterns in patients with knee
osteoarthritis. Chinese Medical Journal, 123(2), 165-172.
Mahaudens, P., X. Banse, M. Mousny, and C. Detrembleur. (2009) Gait in Adolescent Idiopathic
Scoliosis: Kinematics and Electromyographic Analysis. US National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2899459/

The topic of biomemechanics and variables of walking gait will explore the ideas of three
different situations that involve the study of walking gait on uneven surfaces, medical practices
to alleviate pain, age and scoliosis. All of these variables effect the bodys natural position and
will be discussed in the following paper. This topic was chosen because I am studying to become
a chiropractor and I know the importance of a strong core as well as a healthy spine. Early in
September I had done some study in a therapy where the importance of a neutral spine while
walking (and doing anything else for that matter) was emphasized. This got me thinking about
the way we walk and how the spine affects our gait patterns.
The first study was about the mechanics of walking gait and energy expenditure upon
uneven terrain. The scientists hypothesized that walking on uneven terrain leads to greater
energy expenditure. The step gait, co-activation of muscles and pressure on legs and joints were
all measured on four adult females and seven males. They measured each subject on a normal
treadmill before they were tested on a custom made treadmill belt with three alternating heights;
the greatest height was 2.4 cm of foam from the main wooden paneling on the bottom of the belt.
Using the recorded position of 31 reflective markers adhered to the subjects clothing and
skin, 10 stop frame cameras were set up to capture the locomotion and placements of the
markers. This helped the scientists detect the different gait patterns in each subject.
Electromyography (EMG), which is the method for evaluating and recording the electrical
activity of the skeletal muscles, was used on each subjects right leg. From these tests the
scientists concluded that the subjects changed their walking gaits to compensate for the uneven
terrain of the treadmill. Each step was different due to constant conformation of the hip and knee
joints. Step width varied by 35 percent, step length varied by 23 percent and step height varied
by 105 percent. The ankle angle variability increased by less than 50 percent and the knee and
hip variability increased by 30 percent. Six of the eight muscles activation was increased on the
terrain, namely in all of the thigh muscles, lower leg muscles, medial gastrocnemius and in the
soleus muscle. The energy expended while walking on the uneven terrain increased greatly from
walking on the even surface.
Each of the subjects walking on the uneven terrain was observed to have modified their
walking gaits in an effort to make it smoother. While making it smoother, it cost more energy for
them to do so. One of the locomotion actions greatly changed was their heel-strike, which varied
per subject and with this change in their landing foot came increased joint work. This led to coactivation of muscles to assist in knee, ankle and hip joint work, which in turn lead to a more
costly metabolic rate. As was hypothesized, walking on uneven terrain lead to greater energy
expenditure. Now the team had a greater study of how and why.
The second study was about the immediate effects of acupuncture on gait patterns in
patients with knee osteoarthritis. Since knee osteoarthritis generally occurs in elderly patients the
20 participants selected to be included in this study ranged in ages from 58 to 78 years old all
diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Acupuncture is the superficial insertion of small sterile needles at
specific points in the body used to rebalance the flow of qi or chi (pronounced chee). This
article focuses on the traditional Chinese method in relation to relieving the pain in a patients
knees caused by osteoarthritis and how it can positively affect the walking gait of the patient.

There were two groups tested, ten participants in the control group and ten participants in
the placebo group. Twenty-eight retro-reflective markers were placed carefully on the pelvis,
thighs, knees, lower leg and foot to record gait pattern with the help of a 7-camera motion
analysis system to record pre and post treatment gait patterns. This complex marking system
carefully recorded all lower body joint movements, heel-strike, toe-off, gait speed, stride length,
cadence and step width.
During the experiment, the experimental group felt De-Chi, the sensation of numbness
or heaviness at the site of needle insertion, whereas the sham group did not report any sensations
of De-Chi. The results of the gait contrasted greatly between the two groups. In the
experimental group gait speed, step length and the angles at which the joints operated all
increased including in the knee, hip and ankle plantar flexor. Not surprisingly, there was no
notable change of gait pattern in the sham group. The results gathered reflected positively with
the researchers hypothesis.
It would be interesting to see the results 3-4 weeks from the time of treatment to see if
patients are still experiencing pain relief and a smoother walking gait or if they are still walking
with their OA pain inhibited gait pattern. Those in the experiment group were found to have
increased hip and knee extensor movements. Thus it can be concluded that the patients can put
more weight on the knee, with not as much pain. Acupuncture stimulates the nerves relieving
pain in OA patients, yet, that is not to say that it will encourage muscle growth without use.
Acupuncture can help relieve pain so the patient can get back on their feet with less pain and
keep or even regain their muscle. Acupuncture does not fully rely upon the belief and hope of the
patient but also the patients faith in themselves to heal.
The third and final article focuses on gait in adolescents that have been diagnosed with
idiopathic scoliosis. Scoliosis is a severe unnatural curvature of the spine which effects gait
patterns as well as causes pain. The goal of this study was to observe how idiopathic scoliosis
affects gait patterns versus gait patterns in those without spinal deformities. The scientists
hypothesized that those affected with scoliosis would have a different and less efficient gait
pattern than those who are not affected by scoliosis. They also suggested that there would be
asymmetry between the two groups. This was one of the first studies that investigated the effect
of untreated scoliosis on a patient while doing a simple activity like walking.
With these hypotheses, the scientists tested 13 healthy (without any known spinal
deformation or disease) girls with the mean age was 16.5 years old and a group of 41 girls with
untreated adolescent scoliosis. The scoliosis groups mean age was 14.5 years old. For both
groups they were put on a treadmill with 22 reflective markers from the shoulders down to the
metatarsals and were measured by six infrared cameras. These measurements allowed
computation of the 3D angles of movement (3D kinematics) to be observed and recorded.
The results of this study were in accordance to what the scientists hypothesized. There
were significant differences; scoliosis patients had reduced pelvis, hip and shoulder motion. This
was also observed in the knee and ankle. This ultimately causes less efficient gait patterns. The
electromyographics results also came back with more work output by the muscles in the subjects

that were affected by scoliosis. With these results it is easy to confirm that the hypotheses are
indeed valid.
From all these studies it is observed that gait patterns are specific to the individual. The
patterns gained as a child will continue on into adulthood and as long as the person can walk,
they will keep their patterns. These patterns may be affected over time perhaps due to an injury
such as a car accident. These incidents may make an individual walk incorrectly and this will
leave the individual compensate gait for pain. When one side is compensated, the other side will
lose strength and an imbalance will come forth either through the ankle, knee, hip or spine. No
matter the origin of imbalance, it will affect the persons spine.
We are taught how to exercise correctly, speak correctly, eat correctly and other daily
functions correctly, but from the moment we take our first step, no one teaches us how to
properly walk. Men stick out their chests to act tough, bouncing on the toes while walking.
Women like to look attractive and by keeping their feet close together while taking steps keeps a
steep Q-angle. These excuses for walking may be socially accepted but they are not anatomically
correct. Walking is something that one must simply learn by trial and error. Although walking
may seem like one of the most simple and mindless tasks, it is taken for granted as we do it
multiple times in a day on a daily basis without really thinking about it. If our gait is altered by
pain, weight or disease, our quality of life can decrease, often without realizing that the problem
could be originating in our gait patterns. Take some time to pay attention to how your body
moves while you walk. Watch closely the joints and the pressure that is placed upon each
individual joint with every step you take, think of ways to make every step you take more
efficient. Just like exercising efficiently, should we not be aware of walking efficiently as well?