Effect of trunk inclination on lower limb joint and lumbar moments in able men during the stance phase of gait

Background

Though the effect of imposed trunk posture affects walking patterns little is known about the effect of natural orientation of the trunk on gait. The objectives of this study are to test if the lower limb joint and thoraco-lumbar moments are similar in subjects who maintain an average natural forward or backward trunk inclination during gait and verify if the lower limbs are equally affected.

Methods

Twenty-five young men were divided according to their natural backward or forward trunk inclination during level walking. Ankle, knee, hip and thoraco-lumbar moments were calculated by an inverse dynamic approach for the two limbs. A two-way ANOVA was performed on peak lower limb moments. A one-way ANOVA was performed on thoraco-lumbar peak moments.

Findings

There was a main effect for both trunk inclinations and lower limb sides but no interaction. For the forward leaners, the duration of hip extension moment was longer (P < 0.001) while the hip flexion moment was 1.3 times smaller (P < 0.001). Differences between the lower limb sides were noted in all joints but at push-off of the stance phase only. The two thoraco-lumbar extension moments were, respectively, 1.4 times higher for the forward leaners while the two flexion moments were approximately 1.4 times higher for the backward leaners.

Interpretations

The backward leaners propel themselves with a strong hip flexor activity at push-off while the forward leaners use their hip muscles throughout stance. These results support the idea that trunk inclinations and moment variations are associated with the type of walking patterns.