Spatial-temporal parameters, pelvic and lower limb movements during gait in individuals with reduced passive ankle dorsiflexion

• Published in: Gait & posture 2022-03, Vol.93, p.32-38
• Main Authors: Aquino, Mariana R.C., Resende, Renan A., Kirkwood, Renata N., Souza, Thales R., Fonseca, Sergio T., Ocarino, Juliana M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ankle; Ankle dorsiflexion; Ankle Joint; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cross-Sectional Studies; Gait; Humans; Kinematics; Lower Extremity; Pelvis; Range of Motion; Range of Motion, Articular
• ISSN: 0966-6362; 1879-2219
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.01.010

Proper ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ADF-ROM) allows the anterior roll of the tibia relative to the foot during the midstance phase of gait, which contributes to forward movement of the body. Individuals with reduced passive ADF-ROM may present altered movement patterns during gait due to an inefficient anterior tibial roll over the support foot during the stance phase. Research question: What is the influence of reduced passive ADF-ROM on the pelvic and lower limb movements and spatiotemporal parameters during gait? Thirty-two participants divided into two groups according to the degree of passive ADF-ROM—less than 10° (lower ADF-ROM group) or greater than 15° (higher ADF-ROM group) —were subjected to gait assessment using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Independent t-tests were used to compare the pelvic and lower limb movements and spatiotemporal gait parameters between the groups on this cross-sectional study. The lower ADF-ROM group had shorter step length, lower peak of pelvic ipsilateral rotation angle, and lower hip and knee maximum flexion angles in the stance phase (p