Walking balance control in different settings: Effects of walking speed and biological sex

• Published in: Gait & posture 2024-10, Vol.114, p.21-27
• Main Authors: Lordall, Jackson, Arnold, Catherine M., Donkers, Sarah J., Farthing, Jonathan P., Oates, Alison R., Lanovaz, Joel L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Angular Momentum; Biomechanical Phenomena; Female; Humans; Inertial Sensors; Male; Postural Balance - physiology; Sex Factors; Walking - physiology; Walking Speed - physiology; Wearable Technology; Young Adult; Young Adults
• ISSN: 0966-6362; 1879-2219; 1879-2219
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2024.08.082

Previous research has suggested that spatiotemporal step parameters differ between settings; however, it remains unclear how different settings influence walking balance control. How do settings and sex influence walking balance control during walking at different speeds for young adults? Forty-two adults (21 male (23 ± 4 years), 21 female (24 ± 5 years)) completed overground walking trials in four settings: laboratory (10 m), hallway, indoor open, and outdoor pathway (all 20 m) at three self-selected speeds (slow, preferred, fast) following verbal instructions. Participants wore 17 inertial sensors (Xsens Awinda, Movella, Henderson, NV) to capture total body kinematics. The number of included strides was matched across all conditions, with six strides included in each condition for all participants. Medial-lateral and anterior-posterior total body angular momentum range over each stride was calculated (HML range and HAP range). Setting × speed × sex mixed factorial analysis of variance with repeated measures on setting and speed were used for statistical analysis (α =.05). Significant setting × speed interactions (p