Effects of Flooring and Hemi Body on Ground Reaction Forces and Coefficient of Friction in Stroke Gait

Ana Francisca Rozin Kleiner

doi:10.4172/2376-0281.1000122

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of flooring and affected hemi body on the ground reaction forces and on the required coefficient of friction (RCOF) in stroke barefoot gait. Twenty-four volunteers participated in this study, being 12 stroke patients and 12 age-matched healthy subjects as control group. The participant was oriented to walk barefoot, on its own preferred speed, over two force plates on the following flooring: 1) homogeneous vinyl (HOV); 2) carpet; 3) heterogeneous vinyl (HTV); 4) mixed (the first half part of the pathway were covered by HOV and the second by HTV). All the four surfaces presented safe coefficient of friction (ranging from 0.44-0.55) and they are widely used in residences and public facilities. The flooring effect was found on RCOF during the toe off for the affected and unaffected side. Moreover, differences among hemi bodies for RCOF in heel contact and toe off phases were also observed. The control group presented higher RCOF than the stroke unaffected and affected side, and the unaffected showed higher friction than the affected side. In conclusion, the gait of stroke patient was altered due to the four flooring tested in the toe off phase.

Highlights

Safe and independent walking at home or at public facilities requires gait pattern modifications to negotiate environmental features, such as the flooring
The ANOVA one way test revealed no significant differences between stroke and control groups for age (F1,23=0.071; p=0.793), body mass (F1,19=0.385; p=0.541) and height (F1,19=0.352; p=0.559)
There were no differences among surfaces and the ground reaction forces and required coefficient of friction (RCOF) variables for the control group

Summary

Introduction

Safe and independent walking at home or at public facilities requires gait pattern modifications to negotiate environmental features, such as the flooring. Previous studies have shown that peak RCOF varies with age [1], gender [1], limb dominancy [11,12] and the presence of a disability [26].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion