Gait & posture最新文献

{"title":"Association between bone mineral density and ground reaction force in male and female runners","authors":"Maxwell D. Smith,&nbsp;Rebecca L. Wong,&nbsp;Derek N. Pamukoff","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110082","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110082","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Bone responds to loading by accruing areal bone mineral density (BMD). Distance runners experience a ground reaction force (GRF) during exercise which contributes to bone loading. Sex differences in BMD reflect that males and females respond differently to running-imposed GRF.</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>What is the relationship between GRF and BMD in male and female runners?</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Forty participants (20 male; age=25.1 ± 4.5 years; height=1.7 ± 0.1 m; mass=67.2 ± 11.5 kg) who routinely participated in distance running (44.0 ± 26.1 km/week over 4.5 ± 1.5 weekly sessions for the past 6.9 ± 5.2 years) underwent dual x-ray absorptiometry to calculate BMD and ran on a force-instrumented treadmill to measure vertical GRF characteristics at a self-selected (SS) and at a standardized pace (SP; 3.33 m/s). Independent samples t-tests compared outcomes between males and females. Pearson correlation examined associations between GRF and BMD separately based on sex.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Absolute GRF and BMD outcomes were consistently lower in females compared with males (all p &lt; 0.05). At SS, greater BMD in some sites was associated with greater vertical GRF (r = 0.582–0.793, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001–0.007), vertical loading rate (r = 0.459–0.626, <em>p</em> = 0.003–0.042), and vertical impulse (r = 0.518–0.759, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001–0.019) in males. Greater BMD in some sites was also associated with greater vertical GRF (r = 0.550–0.736, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001–0.012), vertical loading rate (r = 0.495–0.718, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001–0.026), and vertical impulse (r = 0.478–0.755, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001–0.033) in males at SP. There were no associations between BMD and GRF in females at either pace (r = -0.095–0.360, <em>p</em> = 0.130–0.983).</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The associations between GRF and BMD in runners differ between males and females. Supplemental training methods may be necessary for female runners to influence BMD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 110082"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145776376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing functional load symmetry: A case for a 15 % threshold in healthy young adults","authors":"Jill Streamer ,&nbsp;Vaibhavi Rathod ,&nbsp;Robin M. Queen","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110088","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110088","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Symmetry is often defined as a limb difference of less than 10 %, a threshold originally established using sport-specific hop tests. However, its applicability to daily functional tasks in healthy populations remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate differences among common symmetry indices and assess whether 10 % or 15 % thresholds are appropriate for healthy young adults during everyday activities.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>72 young healthy adults were enrolled. A load sensing insole (200 Hz) was used to collect plantar loading data during level walking (LW), stair ascent (SA), stair descent (SD), and sit-to-stand (STS). Bilateral peak impact force (PIF) and average loading rate (ALR) were used to calculate limb symmetry with three indices (Absolute Symmetry Index (ASI), relative Limb Symmetry Index (rLSI), absolute Normalized Symmetry Index (aNSI)). A chi-squared analysis determined the appropriateness of the 10 % or 15 % threshold. Absolute agreement ICC values assessed agreement between symmetry indices.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>10 % symmetry threshold was only appropriate for PIF symmetry in SA and SD (χ2 = 3.84, α = 0.05). In contrast, a 15 % threshold captured a substantially higher percentage of trials across all tasks, particularly for PIF in gait-related activities. ICC values demonstrated excellent agreement between the ALR and PIF ASI and rLSI. Poor agreement was observed between ALR ASI and aNSI and ALR rLSI and aNSI during walking and SD task.</div></div><div><h3>Interpretation</h3><div>15 % threshold may better account for natural variability in symmetry, especially for gait-related tasks. Increasing disagreement between symmetry indices shows the need for careful consideration of the symmetry index choice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 110088"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145788222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptation to repeated backward surface translations in healthy young adults: A kinematic elucidation of trip-based perturbation training for preventing falls","authors":"Sara Mahmoudzadeh Khalili,&nbsp;Diané Brown,&nbsp;Caroline Simpkins,&nbsp;Feng Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110066","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110066","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Perturbation-based training has emerged as a promising intervention to enhance balance recovery strategies.</div></div><div><h3>Research Question</h3><div>Can healthy young adults quickly adapt to repeated backward surface translations while standing on a treadmill?</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this cross-sectional study, 20 young adults completed five treadmill-induced backward surface translations during standing. The primary outcome was dynamic gait stability at perturbation onset (ON), recovery step liftoff (LO), and touchdown (TD). Secondary outcomes included center of mass (COM) position and velocity, recovery step performance (latency, duration, length, and speed), belt displacement at LO, trunk movements (angle and angular velocity), ankle angle at ON, and integrated electromyography (EMG) of bilateral leg muscles (tibialis anterior, TA, gastrocnemius, GA, rectus femoris, RF, and biceps femoris, BF).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants were more stable at ON (<em>p</em> = 0.004), LO (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.001), and TD (<em>p</em> = 0.047) on later trials than on earlier trials. Recovery step latency (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.001), duration (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.001), speed (<em>p</em> = 0.006), and length (<em>p</em> = 0.015) improved across trials. Other secondary outcomes also showed significant improvements across trials: less forward-leaning and rotating trunk at LO and TD (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.001), increased integrated EMG for TA, GA, and RF on the stepping leg (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.017) and all muscles on the standing leg (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.033) before ON, and reduced integrated EMG for TA, RF, and BF on both legs (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.047) between ON and TD.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Repeated treadmill-induced backward surface translations during standing enhanced lower-limb muscle activation, recovery step performance, and trunk movement control, thereby improving dynamic stability proactively and reactively. The findings may elucidate mechanisms for balance recovery after a trip-like postural perturbation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 110066"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145717096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biomechanical effects of varying arch support hardness in foot orthosis for adults with flexible flatfoot: A comprehensive Bayesian statistical analysis","authors":"Hairong Chen ,&nbsp;Dong Sun ,&nbsp;Qiaolin Zhang ,&nbsp;Yi Yuan ,&nbsp;Yang Song ,&nbsp;Fengping Li ,&nbsp;Qian Liu ,&nbsp;István Bíró ,&nbsp;József Sárosi ,&nbsp;János Simon ,&nbsp;Zixiang Gao ,&nbsp;Yaodong Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110085","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110085","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Foot orthosis hardness governed the trade-off between medial arch correction, plantar pressure redistribution, and load transfer along the lower limb, yet the relationship between hardness and biomechanical improvement in flexible flatfoot remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To investigate how different arch support hardness levels affect biomechanics and muscle forces in adults with flexible flatfoot, and to determine how these effects vary with hardness.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty women aged 18–40 years with flexible flatfoot (navicular drop &gt; 10 mm, arch height index &lt; 0.31), all asymptomatic, with no prior foot orthosis use and no recent lower-limb injury, were recruited from campus. Participants walked at a self-selected speed under four conditions: no arch support, arch support with shore C 30, shore C 50, and shore C 70 hardness. Research integrated bayesian statistical analysis and musculoskeletal simulations. Biomechanical data were collected via Vicon motion capture system and Kistler force plate and analyzed using OpenSim and JASP.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Foot orthosis improved rearfoot biomechanics: they reduced frontal plane range of motion, moment, and joint reaction forces at the ankle, subtalar, and midtarsal joint, and decreased tibialis posterior peak muscle force; however, these benefits plateaued as hardness increased. Harder foot orthosis (shore C 70) increased knee coronal range of motion and moment, knee sagittal peak joint reaction force, and vastus medialis peak muscle force, and shifted loading distally, increasing metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion, moment, and joint force.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Increasing hardness can, within limits, enhance rearfoot control and reduce tibialis posterior force, but progressively increases loading at the knee and forefoot. The prescription of arch support hardness should balance corrective benefits against the risk of knee and metatarsophalangeal joint loading.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 110085"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145837547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gait variability is more strongly associated with walking speed than with age","authors":"Collin D. Bowersock ,&nbsp;Mariana Szklo-Coxe ,&nbsp;Eric Schussler ,&nbsp;Steven Morrison ,&nbsp;Daniel M. Russell","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110086","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110086","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Based on a complex systems perspective, quantifying the structure of gait variability using nonlinear analysis techniques have been posited to be sensitive to age-related declines in the biological subsystems. This study tested this claim by investigating relationships between age and various measures of gait across the adult lifespan.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Thirty-four adults ranging from 23 to 71 years old completed a 6-minute walk at their preferred speed. Seventeen measures of gait were quantified, including mean spatiotemporal measures of gait and linear and nonlinear measures of gait variability.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Contrary to expectation, older age was positively correlated (<em>p values &lt;.05)</em> only with coefficient of variation of stride length and sample entropy of stride time (R²s = .12 and.15, respectively). Age was instead most strongly associated (<em>p &lt; .05)</em> with slower preferred gait speed (R² =.23). Compared to age, gait variability measures were more strongly associated with preferred gait speed. Slower walking was associated (<em>p values &lt;.05)</em> with increased coefficient of variation of stride length (R² =.34), sample entropy of stride length (R² =.14), the correlation dimension of knee motion and vertical pelvis motion (R² =.34 and R² =.26, respectively), and decreased sample entropy of stride time (R² =.51) and dynamic stability of mediolateral pelvis motion (R² =.11).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings emphasize that measures of gait variability may not be particularly sensitive to the age-related declines in the biological subsystems but rather, are more predictive of preferred walking speed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 110086"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145822397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Medio-lateral forefoot segmentation for clinical gait analysis based on metatarsal subunit rigidity and angular motion","authors":"Amy B. Zavatsky ,&nbsp;Po-Hsiang Chan ,&nbsp;Julie Stebbins","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110070","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.110070","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Although there is general agreement about the longitudinal division of the foot into segments for clinical gait analysis, there is limited evidence on which to base decisions about mediolateral segmentation, particularly in the metatarsal region.</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>We investigate how best to divide the metatarsals mediolaterally by considering both segment rigidity and angular motion.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Motion capture data were collected on 45 healthy adults during barefoot walking. The rigidities of ten subunits of adjacent metatarsals were quantified. Segment axes were defined for a selection of subunits and their three-dimensional angular motions calculated relative to an Oxford Foot Model (OFM) hindfoot segment.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Subunits of metatarsals 2–3 and 3–4 were equally the most rigid, followed by subunit 2–3–4. Medial metatarsal groups were more rigid than lateral groups. Model A (metatarsal subunits 1–2–3 &amp; 4–5), Model B (1–2 &amp; 3–4–5), and Model C (1&amp; 2–3–4 &amp; 5) all had angular motion significantly different from the OFM forefoot for most of the gait cycle. There were significant differences between the motions of the medial and lateral subunits of Models A and B. The central subunit of Model C moved more like the medial subunits in dorsiflexion and more like the lateral subunits in adduction.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The forefoot models examined represent the minimum complexity required to capture metatarsal motion during walking. A mediolateral division of the forefoot at or adjacent to the third metatarsal is one option. The alternative is a three-segment model with a central subunit and separate first and fifth metatarsals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 110070"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145727807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cognitive decline outweighs adiposity in influencing lower limb gait kinematics in older adults","authors":"S.L. Gorniak ,&nbsp;H. Meng","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110104","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110104","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Increased adiposity and cognitive impairments are both associated with gait changes in older adults; however, their combined impact on gait kinematics has not been specifically examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined contribution of adiposity and cognitive impairment to gait alterations in older adults.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 30 older adults with body mass index (BMI) values ranging from 18.5 kg/m² (normal weight) to 40.0 kg/m² (class 2 obesity) were recruited for this study. In session one, anthropometric data were collected. In session two, cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and a verbal N-back task. Gait kinematics were evaluated during over-ground walking.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ankle kinematics were significantly affected by attention, abstraction, and adiposity measures. Hip kinematics were significantly associated with attention, whereas knee kinematics were primarily associated with working memory. No effects of adiposity were observed in hip or knee kinematics.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>This study found that cognitive impairments were more consistently associated with gait kinematics in older adults. However, adiposity only was associated with ankle kinematics, suggesting that central adiposity may influence distal joint control. These findings underscore the regulatory role of executive function in gait and suggest that interventions targeting cognition may have a greater impact on mobility in aging populations than those focused solely on adiposity.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Cognitive impairments in key executive function domains (attention, abstraction, and working memory) have a stronger impact on gait in older adults than adiposity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 110104"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gait asymmetries in children and adolescents with mild leg length discrepancy","authors":"Florian Dobler ,&nbsp;Jana Ender ,&nbsp;Harald Lengnick ,&nbsp;Nathalie Alexander","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.08.078","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.08.078","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is a common orthopedic condition, yet its clinical significance remains debated. While severe LLD is typically managed surgically, the impact of mild LLD (&lt; 2 cm) on gait asymmetry in children is not well understood.</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>This study aims to assess the relationship between mild LLD (&lt; 2 cm) and gait asymmetries in children and adolescents and to compare these asymmetries to those observed in typically developing children (TDC).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Gait data from 475 patients (13.1 ± 2.3 years) were analyzed retrospectively. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using 3D motion analysis during barefoot level walking. Patients were categorized into four LLD groups (1–4 mm, 5–9 mm, 10–14 mm, 15–20 mm). Differences in gait asymmetries and relationships to LLD magnitude were analyzed using statistical parametric mapping ANOVA and regression. Differences in spatial-temporal parameters were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Clinical relevance of asymmetries was judged using normal asymmetry ranges of 40 TDC.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Increased LLD was associated with greater pelvic obliquity, hip adduction, and internal hip rotation on the longer leg side, as well as increased hip flexion, knee flexion, ankle dorsiflexion, and delayed heel rise. These gait asymmetries became clinically relevant compared to TDC at LLD ≥ 1 cm. Kinetic asymmetry differences were negligible.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Mild LLD &lt; 1 cm does not significantly affect gait, while LLD ≥ 1 cm induces clinically relevant asymmetries, particularly in pelvic obliquity. These findings support the use of non-operative interventions, such as shoe lifts, for LLD exceeding 1 cm to mitigate gait asymmetries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 109960"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145002197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of age and ballet experience on overground gait kinematics and kinetics","authors":"Caroline Simpkins ,&nbsp;Madeleine E. Hackney ,&nbsp;Feng Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110097","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110097","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Ballet strengthens leg muscles, improves balance, and lowers fall risk, but its effects on gait remain under-researched. This study analyzed spatiotemporal gait parameters, dynamic gait stability, and kinetic measurements during overground walking in young professional ballet dancers, older recreational ballet dancers, and non-dancers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Sixty participants (10 young dancers, 10 young non-dancers, 20 older dancers, 20 older non-dancers) walked at their preferred pace while their full-body kinematics and kinetics were collected. Gait speed was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included gait parameters (step length and width, cadence) and dynamic gait stability. Kinetic variables (peak vertical ground reaction force, rate of loading, peak propulsive force, propulsive impulse) were tertiary outcomes. All outcomes were compared across groups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Dancers, regardless of age, walked faster (<em>p</em> = 0.012) with longer steps (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001) than non-dancers. Younger participants demonstrated narrower step widths (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001) and a lower cadence (<em>p</em> = 0.022) than their older counterparts. Stability at touchdown (<em>p</em> ≥ 0.067) and liftoff (<em>p</em> ≥ 0.243) was similar across groups. Dancers exhibited a larger rate of loading (<em>p</em> = 0.031) and generated greater peak propulsive force (<em>p</em> = 0.026) than non-dancers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Dancers of all ages walked faster and took longer steps than non-dancers. These kinematic differences between dancers and non-dancers may be associated with dancers’ higher loading rates and greater propulsive forces. The kinetic differences are likely attributed to the stronger lower-limb mechanics developed through ballet. Despite the kinematic/kinetic differences, all groups showed comparable gait stability. These results offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying dynamic stability control in ballet dancers across ages.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 110097"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dual-task effects on spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters and their variability during running","authors":"Hsiang-Ling Teng ,&nbsp;Jo Armour Smith ,&nbsp;Will F.W. Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110103","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110103","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Running in real-world environments often requires using cognitive resources simultaneously with the motor task (dual tasking, DT). Limited existing evidence suggests that DT reduces running speed. Movement variability is essential for a healthy, adaptable motor system. DT has been shown to affect movement variability during walking. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how DT affects spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters and their variability during running.</div></div><div><h3>Research question</h3><div>Does DT affect spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic measures and their variability during running? Does running speed influence DT effects?</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Thirty-one asymptomatic runners participated in this cross-sectional study. Three-dimensional running biomechanics were recorded while participants ran on a treadmill at three speeds (prefer, slow, and fast) with and without performing easy and hard cognitive tasks. Mean and variability of cadence and step length, as well as peak joint angles and moments in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes associated with running injuries, were exported for analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There were significant DT effects on peak knee adduction and pelvis ipsilateral drop angles. Findings also indicated significant DT effects on stride-to-stride variability of peak hip flexion, extension, and adduction, knee flexion and adduction, ankle plantar flexion, and pelvis ipsilateral drop angles, as well as peak knee abductor and ankle plantar flexor moments. Pairwise comparison revealed that runners exhibited lower variability when simultaneously performing a hard cognitive task than running alone. No significant task-by-speed interaction effect was observed, indicating DT effects were not affected by running speeds.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Runners demonstrated lower stride-to-stride variability in joint kinematics and kinetics during DT running. This suggests that runners may be less adaptable and thus more susceptible to running injuries under DT conditions. Future evaluation and intervention programs for runners may consider integrating DT condition, which is commonly missing in current practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12496,"journal":{"name":"Gait & posture","volume":"125 ","pages":"Article 110103"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146022903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}