Percentage Contribution of Lower Limb Moments to Vertical Ground Reaction Force in Normal Gait

The purpose of this study was to investigate how the hip, knee, and ankle moments in the sagittal plane contribute to the vertical ground reaction force (GRF) in healthy participants during normal speed of walking.

Forty healthy male individuals volunteered to participate in this study. They were filmed using 6 high-speed (120 Hz) Pro-Reflex infrared cameras (Qualisys) while walking on an Advanced Mechanical Technology Incorporation force platform. The data collected were the percentage contribution of the moments of the hip, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal plane at the instant of occurrence of the first peak, second peak, and trough of the vertical GRF.

The results revealed that at the first peak of the GRF (loading response), the highest contribution was generated from the knee extension moment followed by the hip extension moment. Knee flexion and ankle plantar flexion moments produced a high contribution to the trough of the GRF (midstance) with approximately equal values. The second peak of the GRF was mainly produced by the ankle plantar flexion moment.

The role of hip extension moment is secondary to knee extension moment in the first peak of GRF. Knee flexion moment is secondary to ankle plantar flexion moment in the second peak of GRF. Both knee flexion and ankle plantar flexion moments have equal contribution during midstance.