Exploratory analysis of gait mechanics in farmers

Abstract

Farmers may be at a higher risk of developing hip osteoarthritis (OA) due to the high demands of their occupation. To the authors' knowledge, the gait patterns of farmers that may be associated with hip joint degeneration have yet to be analyzed. Therefore, this study compares gait mechanics between farmers and non-farmers (controls). It is hypothesized that farmers would exhibit altered lower extremity joint mechanics during walking when compared to matched controls. This exploratory study included five farmers and five sex-, age-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. A 3D gait analysis was performed while study participants walked at a self-selected speed on an instrumented treadmill. Sagittal plane hip, knee, and ankle kinetics and kinematics were assessed. Effect sizes and between-group differences in demographics and gait mechanics were assessed. There were no group differences in walking speed, total stance time as well as hip and knee joint kinematics (p > 0.05). Farmers exhibited statistical trends (p = 0.07-0.08) of lower peak ankle plantarflexion angles, higher plantarflexor moments, higher knee flexion moment impulse, and higher peak vertical ground reaction force during the first and second halves of stance. Additionally, farmers ambulated with a significantly higher knee extensor moment (p = 0.04) and moment impulse (p = 0.05) during the first half of stance and a higher ankle plantarflexion moment impulse (p = 0.04). The results demonstrate a multi-joint gait alteration in farmers compared to non-farmers and may suggest a compensatory gait pattern to optimize hip joint mechanics and mitigate hip joint degeneration. These results provide a preliminary understanding of the impact that agricultural occupations have on joint mechanics that may be associated with the increased prevalence of hip OA in the farming population.

Keywords: Agricultural; ergonomics; kinematics; osteoarthritis; vertical ground reaction force; walking.