Influence of surface on kinematic gait parameters and lower extremity joints mobility

In biomechanical studies of human locomotion, treadmill is a widely used measuring device. The purpose of this paper was to determine the values of kinematic parameters describing gait with the velocity of 5 km/h, both on the ground and on a treadmill. Besides, the authors assessed the impact of the surface on the mobility of three main joints of lower extremities in the sagittal plane. The measurements were done on a sample of 48 men aged between 21 and 23. The most important element of a measuring set was the Vicon system. Based on kinematic parameters our data indicated that during walking on a treadmill step frequency was slightly higher than that on the ground. Probably, due to that fact there were found some differences in other variables (e.g., single support as well as step and stride time). Besides, the results revealed that the type of surface affects joint range of motion, in particular ankle plantar flexion, the instantaneous values of joint angles and change in dynamics of these values.