Simultaneous bilateral 3-D able-bodied gait

This paper reports on the muscle powers and mechanical energies developed during gait by the lower limbs over two consecutive cycles. Nineteen male able-bodied subjects participated in this study. An 8-camera video system filmed the subjects bilaterally as they walked at their natural speed over two force plates. A 3-dimensional inverse dynamic analysis was carried out to determine joint moments, powers and mechanical energy at each joint and in all planes for a total of 57 trials. The walking speed (1.30 m/s), the cadence (106.5 steps/min) and the stance phase relative duration (60.7% of the gait cycle) of the right limb were not significantly different from those of the left limb. The limb muscle peak powers were mostly different in the sagittal plane and reflected gait adjustments rather than asymmetry in gait. Generally, these differences occurred during absorption bursts. The total positive work was similar for both limbs and was associated with maintaining a similar walking speed for each limb. The right limb developed a significantly greater total negative work than the left limb. This was associated with the control of the lower limb in locomotion.