A biomechanical analysis of walking and running on a treadmill in different level of inclined surfaces

Abstract

Walking and running has been implicated to increase non-sagittal motion of the pelvis and hip. The purpose of this project is to characterize different gender with different Body Mass Index (BMI) in gait kinematics and muscle activities as a function of speed and surface incline. 18 healthy volunteers were recruited. Several passive reflective markers were attached to lower extremities of the subjects. Whole body kinematics of 18 health volunteers were recorded along with electromyography (EMG) of muscles on the right lower limb. Each subject walked at different speed and surface inclinations. Joint angles and muscle activities were compared between BMI (normal and overweight) and genders (male and female) in different speed and surface inclination. Females showed greater peak in hip internal rotation and adduction, as well as gluteus maximus activity for all conditions. Statistical analysis is used to analyze all data collected and Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) technique has been chosen to test the significant differences between gender and BMI Based on the test it shows that there is significant level between male and female and also between normal and overweight subjects. Correlation is used to describe the strength and direction on the relationship between two variables. Bi-trochanteric width was correlated to hip adduction during all speed and inclined (r= 0.63, p<0.05).