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      An investigation of lower-extremity functional asymmetry for non-preferred able-bodied walking speeds

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          Abstract

          Functional asymmetry is an idea that is often used to explain documented bilateral asymmetries during able-bodied gait. Within this context, this idea suggests that the non-dominant and dominant legs, considered as whole entities, contribute asymmetrically to support and propulsion during walking. The degree of functional asymmetry may depend upon walking speed. The purpose of this study was to better understand the potential relationship between functional asymmetry and walking speed. Bilateral ground reaction forces (GRF) were measured for 20 healthy subjects who walked at nine different speeds: preferred, +10%, +20%, +30%, +40, −10%, −20%, −30%, and −40%. Contribution to support was determined to be the support impulse: the time integral of the vertical GRF during stance. Contribution to propulsion was determined to be the propulsion impulse: the time integral of the anterior-posterior GRF, while this force was directed forward. Repeated measures ANOVA (α = 0.05) revealed leg × speed interactions for normalized support ( p = 0.001) and propulsion ( p = 0.001) impulse, indicating that speed does affect the degree of functional asymmetry during gait. Post hoc comparisons (α = 0.05) showed that support impulse was approximately 2% greater for the dominant leg, relative to the non-dominant leg, for the −10%, −20%, and −40% speeds. Propulsion impulse was 12% greater for the dominant leg than for the non-dominant leg at the +20% speed. Speed does appear to affect the magnitude of bilateral asymmetry during walking, however, only the bilateral difference for propulsion impulse at one fast speed (+20%) was supportive of the functional asymmetry idea.

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          Most cited references15

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          Scaling gait data to body size

          At L Hof (1996)
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            Symmetry and limb dominance in able-bodied gait: a review.

            As one of the most universal of all human activities, gait in the able-bodied has received considerable attention, but many aspects still need to be clarified. Symmetry or asymmetry in the actions of the lower extremities during walking and the possible effect of laterality on gait are two prevalent and controversial issues. The purpose of this study was to review the work done over the last few decades in demonstrating: (a) whether or not the lower limbs behave symmetrically during able-bodied gait; and (b) how limb dominance affects the symmetrical or asymmetrical behavior of the lower extremities. The literature reviewed shows that gait symmetry has often been assumed, to simplify data collection and analysis. In contrast, asymmetrical behavior of the lower limbs during able-bodied ambulation was addressed in numerous investigations and was found to reflect natural functional differences between the lower extremities. These functional differences were probably related to the contribution of each limb in carrying out the tasks of propulsion and control during able-bodied walking. In current debates on gait symmetry in able-bodied subjects, laterality has been cited as an explanation for the existence of functional differences between the lower extremities, although a number of studies do not support the hypothesis of a relationship between gait symmetry and laterality. Further investigation is needed to demonstrate functional gait asymmetry and its relationship to laterality, taking into consideration the biomechanical aspects of gait.
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              Asymmetries in ground reaction force patterns in normal human gait.

              The purpose of this study was to propose a measure of symmetry/asymmetry for normal human gait and to quantify symmetries/asymmetries of normal human gait for selected gait variables using a force platform. Sixty-two subjects performed ten gait trials each, stepping on the force platform five times with each leg. From these gait trials a symmetry index was calculated for 34 gait variables. The upper and lower limits of normal gait were calculated such that 95% of all symmetry indices obtained from this subject population fell within these limits. Upper and lower limits were found to vary from +/- 4% to over +/- 13,000%. Extremely high percentages were found for variables which had absolute magnitudes close to zero and/or variables which occurred at distinctly different instants during the gait cycle. The results of these variables need to be interpreted with caution.
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                Author and article information

                Journal
                Int J Exerc Sci
                Int J Exerc Sci
                International Journal of Exercise Science
                Berkeley Electronic Press
                1939-795X
                2010
                15 October 2010
                : 3
                : 4
                : 182-188
                Affiliations
                Department of Exercise Sciences; 106 SFH; Brigham Young University; Provo, UT 84602
                Author notes
                Address for Correspondence: John Rice; 106 SFH Brigham Young University; Provo, UT 84602; 801.830.9730; john.rice.121@ 123456gmail.com .
                [*]

                Denotes undergraduate student author

                [‡]

                denotes professional author

                Article
                ijes_03_04_182
                4738871
                27182346
                5b3a5969-f594-452b-8f20-a22f38f5d72d
                Copyright @ 2010
                History
                Categories
                Original Research

                locomotion,right,left,lower limbs,dominance,lateralization,symmetry
                locomotion, right, left, lower limbs, dominance, lateralization, symmetry

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