Individuals with pre-obesity exhibit a more asymmetrical gait pattern

Previous studies have shown that obesity impairs body biomechanics (1-3). However, no study has been found examining the gait of individuals who are not obese but have an above-normal BMI and were considered pre-obese. Does pre-obesity affect the symmetry of the angular values of the lower extremity during walking? Thirteen individuals with normal body mass index (BMI) (21.53±2.05 kg/m) and eight individuals with pre-obesity (28.52±2.21 kg/m) were recruited for the study. Participants walked at their self-paced speed for 4-5 minutes (4) on a motorized treadmill and the data of lower limb angles were collected with inertial measurement units (Xsens Technologies B.V.). Minimum, maximum, and average values of stance and swing phase of the participants for the whole series of the ankle, knee, and hip angles, as well as; the series at heel strike and foot release phase were recorded. Differences between right and left joints were calculated to examine gait symmetry. Symmetry in ankle angles was similar between groups (p>0.05). In the pre-obese group; minimum(p=0.011) and maximum (p=0.007) knee angles were more asymmetrical in the stance phase than in the normal-weight group. Also, the minimum knee angle in the swing phase was more asymmetrical (p=0.043) in the pre-obese group. In addition, it was determined that the pre-obese group exhibited more asymmetrical knee angles at heel strike (p=0.032) and foot release (p=0.017). The maximum hip angle of the pre-obese group was more asymmetrical in the stance phase (p=0.003) and swing phase (p= 0.006). Also, in the heel strike, the hip angle (p=0.009) was found to be more asymmetrical than the normal-weight group. No difference was observed between the groups for all other measurements (p>0.05). The results of the study showed that individuals with pre-obesity level BMI exhibited a more asymmetrical gait pattern in the proximal joints during walking. It was observed that the increase in BMI negatively affected gait even if below the level of obesity.