Kinematics and kinetics of 2 styles of partial forward lunge

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the anterior shift of the body's center of gravity (CG) and the associated inertial forces produced by 2 styles of a partial forward lunge.

Setting: Gait-analysis laboratory of a research institution.

Participants: 10 healthy volunteers.

Intervention: 3 trials of each lunge.

Main outcome measures: Kinematic data were collected, and inertial reaction forces were resolved into net compressive and shear forces using an inverse dynamic model.

Results: Significantly (P < .001) greater anterior translation of the CG was found with an arms-in-front v arms-across-chest lunge style. No significant differences were found between the average peak inertial compressive and shear forces of the 2 styles (427 +/- 184 N v 426 +/- 187 N, -536 +/- 113 N v -538 +/- 127 N).

Conclusion: Anterior translation of the CG was larger with the arms-forward partial-lunge position, creating increased balance demands. Both styles produced clinically safe (posteriorly directed) inertial shear forces, with greater anterior CG shift with the arms-forward style.