Human walking along a curved path. II. Gait features and EMG patterns

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neuroscience
• Human locomotion

Background:

• Understanding the neural control of human locomotion is crucial for rehabilitation and assistive technologies.
• Gait control during curved walking presents unique challenges due to asymmetric leg movements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the nervous mechanisms controlling asymmetric leg movements during curved walking.
• To analyze gait features and leg muscle activity patterns during continuous body progression along a curved path.

Main Methods:

• Recorded basic gait features and associated leg muscle activity during curved walking.
• Analyzed stride length, phase lag, swing velocity, and stance phase duration.
• Measured muscle activity (soleus, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus) and trunk inclination.

Main Results:

• A consistent rhythm was maintained between legs, despite differing stride lengths and a 7% phase lag in limb displacement.
• Outer foot swing velocity was greater, and stance duration decreased in the outer leg and increased in the inner leg.
• Muscle activity showed minor alterations; soleus amplitude varied, tibialis anterior increased during swing, and peroneus longus decreased.
• Trunk leaning towards the inside of the curve accompanied stance phase changes.
• Gait patterns and muscle activity remained unaffected by closing the eyes during turning.

Conclusions:

• Curved walking may utilize the spinal locomotor generator's fundamental mechanisms, minimizing the neural computational load for turning.
• The nervous system efficiently adapts basic locomotor patterns for curved trajectories.