Comparative Analysis of Gait Parameters and Symmetry between Preferred Walking Speed and Walking Speed by using the Froude Number

Walking is the most basic mode of transportation of humans. It is a complex motion produced by the coordination and control of the upper and lower limb joints. Gait varies depending on the physical traits, habits, walking speed, and personality (Shin, Lee, & Kwon, 2008; Tirosh & Sparrow, 2005; Whittle, 1990). So far, the symmetrical movements of both legs have been regarded as normal gait. However, even non-handicapped individuals can develop asymmetrical gait because of physical traits or differences in function between both feet (Sadeghi, Allard, Prince, & Labelle, 2000). Echeverria, Rodriguez, Velascol, and Alvarez-Ramirez (2010) reported that around 10% of cases of asymmetrical gait could be observed in nonhandicapped individuals. Improper gait and habits can cause diseases in body structure such as bones and muscles (Moon, 2005; Scott & Winter, 1990). In particular, asymmetrical gait can cause body fatigue and can directly cause disabilities or diseases because abnormal loads during gait can travel all the way to the brain (Nigg, De Boer, & Fisher, 1995). Asymmetry produced while walking is used to evaluate gait. In their study, Perttunen, Anttila, Sodergard, Merikanto, and Komi (2004) examined the asymmetrical gait of patients with lower limb length discrepancies and reported that weight bearing was higher on the longer leg. In another study, Lugade, We, Jewett, Collis, and Chou (2010) reported that surgery improved asymmetrical gait in patients with hip osteoarthritis. Hyun and Ryew (2014) investigated the correlation between heel height and gait in young female adults and reported that heel height was directly proportional to asymmetry and observed bilateral asymmetry. Roth, Mervitz, Mroczek, Dugan, and Suh in 1997; Patterson et al. in 2008; and Nam, Kim, and An in 2010 reported that bilateral asymmetry increases with decreased walking speed in stroke KJSB Korean Journal of Sport Biomechanics 2016; 26(2): 221-228 http://dx.doi.org/10.5103/KJSB.2016.26.2.221 http://e-kjsb.org eISSN 2093-9752 ORIGINAL