Trajectory and asymmetry of lower limb joint moments during normal and blindfolded gait

Abstract

[Purpose] This study examined gait asymmetry through analyzing gait trajectories and asymmetry of the lower limb moment of the frontal plane in normal and blindfolded gaits. [Participants and Methods] A three-dimensional motion analyzer and force plates were used to determine the thoracic lateral deviation and asymmetrical ratios of the upper and lower thoracic shapes in the standing position of 20 healthy adult men. The progression angle pelvic and thoracic rotation angles; and asymmetry of the hip, knee, and ankle moments in the frontal plane in full- and no-vision gaits were measured. [Results] The thorax deviated to the left relative to the pelvis, and the upper and lower thoracic shapes were asymmetric. The no-vision gait trajectory exhibited a significantly deviated to the left, and the pelvis and thorax were significantly rotated to the left compared with those of the full-vision gait. Asymmetry of the knee moment at the mid-stance and the ankle moment at the loading response were significantly lower under no-vision gait than during full-vision gait. [Conclusion] The proprioceptive trunk information was unbalanced in able-bodied participants. Imbalances in proprioceptive information may cause asymmetric motion of the knee and ankle during gait.

Keywords: Gait asymmetry; Gait trajectory; Visual deprivation.

Fig. 1.

Marker placements of thoracic lateral deviation. Midpoints of C and T8 are defined as the center of the thorax. Those of ASIS and PSIS on each side are calculated, and their respective midpoints are defined as the center of the pelvis. The lateral axial coordinates of the center of the thorax relative to the center of the pelvis are defined as thoracic lateral deviation. Thoracic lateral deviation [mm]=Center of thorax − Center of pelvis ASIS: anterior superior iliac spine; PSIS: posterior superior iliac spine; RPSIS: right posterior superior iliac spine; RASIS: right anterior superior iliac spine; LPSIS: left posterior superior iliac spine; LASIS: right anterior superior iliac spine.

Fig. 2.

Marker placements of thoracic shape. a: Asymmetrical ratio of the upper thoracic shape is defined as the right anteroposterior diameter (BA1 + BA2 + BA3) divided by the left anteroposterior diameter (BA4 + BA5 + BA6). b: Asymmetrical ratio of the lower thoracic shape is defined as the right anteroposterior diameter (CD1 + CD2 + CD3) divided by the left anteroposterior diameter (CD4 + CD5 + CD6).

Fig. 3.

Method for calculating the progression angle. Progression angle is defined as the angle between the horizontal line connecting the CoM at the right IC and the CoM at the next right IC and the Y-axis in the measurement space. CoM: center of mass; IC: initial contact.