Examining Gait Adaptations in Loaded Foot Marches Using Instrumented Insoles Gait Adaptations in Loaded Foot Marches

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics and Human Movement Analysis
• Military Medicine and Performance Science
• Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

Background:

• Loaded foot marches (LFM) significantly challenge warfighters, altering gait mechanics and elevating musculoskeletal injury risk.
• Instrumented insoles offer a viable field method for assessing gait alterations during LFM.
• Understanding individual physical fitness (PF) influence on gait responses is crucial for injury prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate acute and adaptive gait responses during a 2-hour LFM using instrumented insoles.
• To evaluate the impact of physical fitness and body composition on gait alterations during LFM.
• To assess the utility of instrumented insoles for real-time gait monitoring in operational environments.

Main Methods:

• Fourteen participants with LFM experience underwent physical fitness assessments (body composition, aerobic fitness, strength, power).
• Instrumented insoles recorded gait parameters (cadence, ground contact time (GCT), double support time (DST)) during unloaded walking and a 2-hour LFM (20kg ruck).
• Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, repeated measures ANOVAs, and bivariate correlations between PF and gait changes.

Main Results:

• Gait parameters significantly differed between unloaded walking and LFM, with increased GCT and DST.
• During the 2-hour LFM, cadence decreased while GCT and DST increased within the first hour, stabilizing thereafter.
• Gait alterations during LFM were significantly correlated with measures of physical fitness, including body composition, strength, and power.

Conclusions:

• Gait adaptations during LFM demonstrate consistent directional changes but variable magnitudes influenced by individual physical fitness and body composition.
• Instrumented insoles show promise for real-time screening and monitoring of gait during LFMs, providing insights into individual responses.
• This technology can aid in identifying warfighters at higher risk of injury and informing tailored training or equipment adjustments.