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Updated: May 14, 2026
06:54
Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
Knee extensor and flexor dominant gait patterns increase the knee frontal plane moment during walking
Juha-Pekka Kulmala1, Sami Äyrämö, Janne Avela
1Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Rautpohjan Katu 8A, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland. juhapekka.kulmala@gmail.com
Summary
Different gait patterns significantly impact knee loading. Knee extensor or flexor dominant walking styles are linked to higher knee frontal plane moments, potentially increasing osteoarthritis risk.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Orthopedics
- Kinetics
Background:
- High knee frontal plane moments during gait are associated with knee osteoarthritis development.
- Significant inter-individual variability exists in gait patterns, particularly knee sagittal plane moments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between distinct gait patterns and elevated knee frontal plane moments.
- To identify specific gait strategies that may predispose individuals to increased knee loading.
Main Methods:
- Cluster analysis was used to categorize 24 subjects into three gait pattern subgroups based on knee joint moments.
- Kinetics, kinematics, and spatio-temporal parameters were compared across the identified clusters.
Main Results:
- A typical sagittal plane moment pattern group exhibited 43% lower first peak knee frontal plane moments compared to knee extensor dominant gait.
- A typical gait pattern group showed 44% lower second peak knee frontal plane moments than knee flexor dominant gait.
Conclusions:
- Distinct knee loading strategies during gait considerably influence knee frontal plane moments.
- Gait patterns dominated by knee extensors or flexors are linked to atypically high knee frontal plane moments.
- Individuals with these dominant gait patterns may face a heightened risk of developing knee osteoarthritis.
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