Gender differences in joint biomechanics during walking: normative study in young adults

The effect of gender on specific joint biomechanics during gait has been largely unexplored. Given the perceived, subjective, and temporal differences in walking between genders, we hypothesized that quantitative analysis would reveal specific gender differences in joint biomechanics as well. Sagitt...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inAmerican journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation Vol. 77; no. 1; p. 2
Main Authors Kerrigan, D C, Todd, M K, Della Croce, U
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.1998
Subjects
Absorption
Adult
Ankle Joint - physiology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Body Height
Body Weight
Databases as Topic
Electronics - instrumentation
Ergometry
Female
Gait - physiology
Hip Joint - physiology
Humans
Knee Joint - physiology
Male
Movement
Optics and Photonics - instrumentation
Sex Characteristics
Stress, Mechanical
Time Factors
Torque
Walking - physiology
Weight-Bearing
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:The effect of gender on specific joint biomechanics during gait has been largely unexplored. Given the perceived, subjective, and temporal differences in walking between genders, we hypothesized that quantitative analysis would reveal specific gender differences in joint biomechanics as well. Sagittal kinematic (joint motion) and kinetic (joint torque and power) data from the lower limbs during walking were collected and analyzed in 99 young adult subjects (49 females), aged 20 to 40 years, using an optoelectronic motion analysis and force platform system. Kinetic data were normalized for both height and weight. Female and male data were compared graphically and statistically to assess differences in all major peak joint kinematic and kinetic values. Females had significantly greater hip flexion and less knee extension before initial contact, greater knee flexion moment in pre-swing, and greater peak mechanical joint power absorption at the knee in pre-swing (P < 0.0019 for each parameter). Other differences were noted (P < 0.05) that were not statistically significant when accounting for multiple comparisons. These gender differences may provide new insights into walking dynamics and may be important for both clinical and research studies in motivating the development of separate biomechanical reference databases for males and females.
ISSN:0894-9115
DOI:10.1097/00002060-199801000-00002