This study was aimed to compare the variability of inter-joint coordination in the lower-extremities during gait between active individuals with transtibial amputation (TTAs) and healthy individuals (HIs). Fifteen active male TTAs (age: 40.6 ± 16.24 years, height: 1.74 ± 0.09 m, and mass: 71.2 ± 8.87 kg) and HIs (age: 37.25 ± 13.11 years, height: 1.75 ± 0.06 m, and mass: 74 ± 8.75 kg) without gait disabilities voluntarily participated in the study. Participants walked along a level walkway covered with Vicon motion capture system, and their lower-extremity kinematics data were recorded during gait. The spatiotemporal gait parameters, lower-extremity joint range of motion (ROM), and their coordination and variability were calculated and averaged to report a single value for each parameter based on biomechanical symmetry assumption in the lower limbs of HIs. Additionally, these parameters were separately calculated and reported for the intact limb (IL) and the prosthesis limb (PL) in TTAs individuals. Finally, a comparison was made between the averaged values in HIs and those in the IL and PL of TTAs subjects. The results showed that the IL had a significantly lower stride length than that of the PL and averaged value in HIs, and the IL had a significantly lower knee ROM and greater stance-phase duration than that of HIs. Moreover, TTAs showed different coordination patterns in pelvis-to-hip, hip-to-knee, and hip-to-ankle couplings in some parts of the gait cycle. It concludes that the active TTAs with PLs walked with more flexion of the knee and hip, which may indicate a progressive walking strategy and the differences in coordination patterns suggest active TTA individuals used different neuromuscular control strategies to adapt to their amputation. Researchers can extend this work by investigating variations in these parameters across diverse patient populations, including different amputation etiologies and prosthetic designs. Moreover, Clinicians can use the findings to tailor rehabilitation programs for TTAs, emphasizing joint flexibility and coordination.

• Keywords
• Coordination, Coordination variability, Gait, Transtibial amputation,
• MeSH
• Amputation, Surgical * MeSH
• Amputees MeSH
• Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
• Gait * physiology   MeSH
• Walking physiology   MeSH
• Lower Extremity MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Ankle Joint physiopathology   MeSH
• Knee Joint physiopathology   surgery   MeSH
• Hip Joint surgery   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Range of Motion, Articular * MeSH
• Tibia surgery   physiopathology   MeSH
• Artificial Limbs * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Considering that most of the falls in elderly population arise during walking, tests derived from walking performance would be desirable for comprehensive fall risk assessment. The analysis of spatial temporal parameters and the center of pressure displacement, which represents the interaction between the human body and the ground, would be beneficial. The aim of this study was to compare spatial temporal gait parameters and their variability and the variability of the center of pressure displacement between elderly fallers and nonfallers during gait at self-selected, defined and fast speeds. A prospective study design was used. At the baseline, measurements of ground reaction force during gait at self-selected, defined and fast walking speeds by two force plates were performed. In addition, the Tinetti balance assessment tool, the Falls Efficacy Scale-International and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale were used. Mean and coefficient of variation of spatial temporal gait parameters and standard deviations of center of pressure displacement during loading response, midstance, terminal stance and preswing phases were calculated. Comparison of the fallers and nonfallers exhibited no significant difference in clinical tool, scales or spatial temporal parameters. Compared to nonfallers' increased variability of walking speed at self-selected and defined speed, step width at fast walking speed and center of pressure displacement during preswing phase in medial-lateral directions at defined walking speed was found in fallers. However, application of the Holm-Bonferroni procedure for multiple comparisons exhibited no significant effect of group in any of the gait parameters. In general, our study did not observe an effect of group (fallers vs. nonfallers) on variability of spatial temporal parameters and center of pressure movement during gait. However, walking speed, step width as well as standard deviation of COP displacement in the medial-lateral direction during preswing exhibited a certain potential for distinguishing between elderly fallers and nonfallers.

• MeSH
• Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
• Spatio-Temporal Analysis MeSH
• Gait physiology   MeSH
• Walking physiology   MeSH
• Risk Assessment MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Movement MeSH
• Postural Balance physiology   MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Spatial Behavior * MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Body Height MeSH
• Pressure MeSH
• Accidental Falls prevention & control   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

The aim of the study was to assess lower limb loading during walking after unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) revision. Twenty-three THA revision subjects (12 men, 11 women) were divided into three groups according to time since surgery as 1 to 6 years, 6 to 11 years, and over 11 years. Two force plates were used to measure the ground reaction force during the stance phase. On the operated limb, compared to nonoperated limb, we found lower first vertical peak in the group of 1 to 6 years after revision and lower propulsion peak in the group of 6 to 11 years since revision. In the group of 11 years since THA revision, no significant difference was found. With advancing years after surgery, the stance phase duration got reduced and propulsion peak increased in the operated limb; minimal vertical force decreased and the time of minimal vertical force increased in the nonoperated limb. The study findings suggest the tendency to a more gradual and safer weight acceptance on the operated limb during the first years after THA revision, followed by limitation of foot propulsion. Despite this fact, lower limb loading can be considered as symmetrical across the whole measured period.

• MeSH
• Gait * MeSH
• Lower Extremity physiopathology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip * MeSH
• Follow-Up Studies MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Weight-Bearing MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH