Biomechanical analysis of hip and knee joints during gait in elderly subjects

Abstract

The objective of this study was to quantify the range of motion, force momentum, power and the mechanical work performed by hip and knee joints during gait in a group of subjects aged between 55 and 75 years. As a common activity of daily life, walking is often prescribed as a therapeutic exercise in elderly adults. rehabilitation. Kinematic and kinetic analyses during gait were obtained from optical tracking, force plate, standardized x-ray imaging and anthropometric data. The total effort generated by the hip joint during gait was greater than the one of the knee joint. The hip joint generated a total effort of 0.40J/kg, with 22% on the frontal plane, 76% on sagittal plane, and 2% on transverse plane. The total effort generated at the knee joint during gait was 0,30J/kg, with 7% occurring on frontal plane, 90% on sagittal plane, and 3% on transverse plane. The biomechanical analysis of the joints during different activities would help clinicians to identify and understand important variables required for improving the performance and deficits of elderly individuals.