Walking patterns of knee and ankle joints during level walking and uphill walking

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the spatial-temporal patterns of the ankle joint and knee joint in healthy young individuals during level walking with different speed and during uphill walking with different grade. Ten healthy male individuals participated in this study. Individuals walked with greater maximum knee flexion and ankle flexion angles during late stance in the fast level walking. Late stance ankle flexion angles reach the maximum value earlier for the individuals during slow walking. Individuals walked with larger maximum of late stance ankle flexion angles during uphill walking comparing to level walking. Comparing to level walking, ankle flexion angles reach the maximum value earlier during uphill walking. The present investigation indicates that kinematic alterations, such as more flexed knee and ankle and adjusting the timing of the joint angle, is a postural strategy to adapt to treadmill level and inclination walking.