The relationship between force exertion related to pelvic behavior and gait variables during walking in older adults

Previous kinetic studies of walking have primarily focused on force generation in the lower limbs, and force generation related to pelvic motion has not been sufficiently examined; however, we hypothesized that, in older adults' walking, force generation associated with pelvic motion contributes to the acquisition of gait variables and ground reaction force variables. The present study aimed to identify the characteristics of force generation associated with pelvic motion during gait in older adults and to clarify its relationship with gait and GRF variables.

Three-dimensional kinematic and force data were collected from fifteen older female participants while they walked along a 10-m walkway using a motion capture system and a force platform. Ground reaction force, gait variables, three-dimensional pelvic behavior, and kinetics were calculated.

Significant positive correlations were found between the impulse of lumbosacral lateral flexion torque toward the free-leg side and walking speed, and cadence. Additionally, significant positive correlations were observed between the impulse of lower lumbosacral torsional torque and step length, peak propulsive force, and propulsive impulse.

These results suggest that, during gait in older adults, in addition to force generation at the three lower-limb joints, lumbosacral lateral flexion torque toward the free leg may contribute to walking speed by being associated with higher cadence. Furthermore, lower lumbosacral torsional torque may be associated with the propulsive component of the GRF and longer step length, suggesting a potential role in forward progression during walking.