Measurement of lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during valley-shaped slope walking

Abstract

Military personnel suffer from musculoskeletal injuries during military operations and training. Military training is often performed with military boots in challenging outdoor environments where the ground surface is not leveled. Thus, this study aimed to determine the hip, knee, and ankle joint kinematics and kinetics during valley-shaped slope walking (VSW). Eighteen Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets walked on a valley-shaped slope wearing military boots. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data of the lower extremity were obtained using a force plate and motion capture system. Kinematics changed to control the lowered and raised body during VSW. Anterior–posterior ground reaction forces (GRF) and vertical GRF were significantly increased during VSW compared with that during level walking. Furthermore, compared with level walking, both the knee extension moment and ankle plantarflexion moment were significantly increased during VSW. Joint kinematics and kinetics changed in response to the shape of the ground surface. During VSW, the changes in the pattern and magnitude of the joint kinematics and kinetics demonstrated that different movement strategies are required to provide soldiers the necessary stability and mobility.