Three-dimensional analysis of the pelvic and hip mobility during gait on a treadmill and on the ground

Pelvic girdle combines two units: passenger and locomotor. That is why the importance of this part of the body is emphasized by all researchers in terms of gait economy. The purpose of our research was to determine the changes of pelvic girdle mobility and hip joint in men in three planes of movement (sagittal, frontal and horizontal) during gait at a speed of 5 km/h. The methodology used here aimed at assessing the impact of the surface (ground or treadmill) on the mobility in those planes. To register overground and treadmill locomotion we applied: Vicon 250, Cardionics Treadmill 3113. The sample of the study was the group of 30 men aged between 21 and 23. The analysis of the results revealed the biggest impact of the type of surface on both pelvis and hip joint in the transverse plane. When the subjects moved on the natural ground, the pelvic range of motion (ROM) in this plane was more than twice wider than that in treadmill walking. Whereas in the case of hip joint, significantly higher ROM values occurred in the transverse plane during walking on the treadmill.