ENERGETICS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY JOINTS DURING GRADED WALKING ON A SLOPE COMPARED WITH ASCENDING AND DESCENDING STAIRS

Authors

  • H. Schwameder
  • E. Müller
  • R. Roithner

Keywords:

joint energy, uphill walking, downhill walking, stairs climbing

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the energetics of the lower extremity joints during uphill and downhill walking on slopes and stairs. 10 subjects were filmed and their ground reaction forces were measured during uphill and downhill walking on a ramp and on a staircase (24°) at the same speed. Inverse dynamics were used to calculate net joint forces and moments as well as joint power and energy at the ankle, knee and hip joint. Both, for uphill and downhill walking, the energy is more balanced in the staircase compared with the ramp conditions. Ascending stairs shifts the energy from the ankle joint to the hip joint, while in descending stairs a shift from the knee joint to the ankle joint can be observed.

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Issue

19 International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports (2001)

Section

Injuries / Rehabilitation

License

Authors can retain copyright, while granting the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS) the right of first publication.