Ankle weighting effect on gait in able-bodied adults

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Physiology
• Kinetics and Kinematics

Background:

• Understanding the energetic cost of human locomotion is crucial for fields ranging from sports science to rehabilitation.
• Ankle weights are commonly used as a training tool, but their precise impact on gait mechanics and energy expenditure requires detailed analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the effect of symmetrically and asymmetrically added ankle weights on energy expenditure during ambulation.
• To analyze the impact of ankle weight asymmetry on specific gait parameters, including stance and swing phases.

Main Methods:

• Ten able-bodied subjects participated in the study.
• Energy expenditure was measured via oxygen consumption (VO2) per unit distance and per unit time.
• Gait analysis was performed, examining parameters such as velocity, cadence, stride length, gait cycle, and limb support times under different weighting conditions (no weight, symmetric ankle weights, asymmetric ankle weights).

Main Results:

• Both symmetric and asymmetric ankle weighting significantly increased oxygen consumption per unit distance.
• Symmetric weighting led to a significant increase in the rate of oxygen consumption, while asymmetric weighting showed a trend towards significance.
• Asymmetric weighting altered gait by decreasing single-limb support time and increasing swing phase duration in the weighted limb, with reciprocal changes in the unweighted limb. Symmetric weighting increased single-limb support time for both legs.

Conclusions:

• Adding ankle weights increases the energetic cost of walking.
• Asymmetric ankle weighting introduces significant changes in gait dynamics, affecting single-limb support, swing, and stance phases.
• Symmetric ankle weighting increases overall energy expenditure and prolongs single-limb support time, aligning with previous research.