Effects of anteriorly-loaded treadmill walking on dynamic gait stability in young adults

BackgroundAnteriorly-loaded walking is common in many occupations and may increase fall risk. Dynamic gait stability, defined by the Feasible Stability Region (FSR) theory, quantifies the kinematic relationship between the body’s center of mass (COM) and base of support (BOS). FSR-based dynamic gait stability has been used to evaluate the fall risk.Research questionHow does front load carriage affect dynamic gait stability, step length, and trunk angle among young adults during treadmill walking?MethodsIn this between-subject design study, 30 healthy young adults were evenly randomized into three load groups (0%, 10%, or 20% of body weight). Participants carried their assigned load while walking on a treadmill at a speed of 1.2 m/s. Body kinematics were collected during treadmill walking. Dynamic gait stability (the primary variable) was calculated for two gait events: touchdown and liftoff. Step length and trunk angle were measured as secondary variables. One-way analysis of variance was conducted to detect any group-related differences for all variables. Post-hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction was performed when main group differences were found.ResultsNo significant differences but medium to large effect sizes were found between groups for dynamic gait stability at touchdown (p = 0.194, η² = 0.114) and liftoff (p = 0.122, η² = 0.139). Trunk angle significantly increased (indicating backward lean) with the front load at touchdown (p < 0.001, η² = 0.648) and liftoff (p < 0.001, η² = 0.543). No significant between-group difference was found related to the step length (p = 0.344, η² = 0.076).SignificanceCarrying a front load during walking significantly alters the trunk orientation and may change the COM-BOS kinematic relationship and, therefore, fall risk. The findings could inform the design of future studies focusing on the impact of anterior load carriage on fall risk during different locomotion.     

术中同期韧带修复治疗踝关节骨折伴三角韧带断裂疗效及预后影响因素探讨

目的探讨术中同期韧带修复治疗踝关节骨折伴三角韧带断裂疗效及预后影响因素。方法回顾性分析溧阳市人民医院2016年1月至2018年12月收治踝关节骨折伴三角韧带断裂患者共183例临床资料,其中未行同期韧带修复者共48例设为A组,术中行同期韧带修复者135例设为B组,而B组根据修复方式分为浅层修复(54例),深层修复(48例)及完全修复(33例);比较不同组术中出血量、住院时间、美国足踝外科学会(AOFAS)评分、视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分、术后并发症发生率及矢状面足跟着地角度,采用Logistic回归模型进行预后影响因素分析。结果B组住院时间、VAS评分、术后并发症发生率及矢状面足跟着地角度均少于A组(P<0.05);B组AOFAS评分高于A组(P<0.05);B组冠状面和水平面足跟着地角度则高于A组(P<0.05);深层组和完全组AOFAS评分少于浅层组(P<0.05);深层组和完全组VAS评分显著高于浅层组(P<0.05);完全组术后并发症发生率高于浅层组(P<0.05);Logistic回归模型单因素分析结果显示,年龄、合并其他损伤、受伤至手术时间、深层及浅层修复均是患者临床预后影响因素(P<0.05);而多因素分析结果则显示,浅层修复是患者临床预后独立保护因素(P<0.05)。结论踝关节骨折伴三角韧带断裂患者术中同期行韧带修复可有效提高临床疗效,改善关节生物力学指标;其中行浅层修复三角韧带更有助于增加临床获益。