Gait Coordination Quantification of Thigh-Leg Segments in Sedentary and Active Youngs at Different Speeds Using the Modified Vector Coding Technique

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to quantify the variability coordination of Thigh-Leg segments, during gait, of young sedentary and active at different speeds (preferred walk- ing speed (PWS), 120% of PWS and 80% of PWS) using the previously reported modified Vector Coding technique, to record the segmental angles. Thirty young people participated in this study, of which 15 practiced physical activities at least an hour a day and three times a week, and 15 were sedentary. For data collection they executed a protocol of one-minute walking on a treadmill at each speed, in a randomized order. For the Thigh-Leg segments, the angles were computed during four phases of the gait (first double support, single support, second double support, and swing), in the sagittal plane (flexion/extension angles). The data were analyzed using a customized Matlab code. There were statistical differences for the Thigh-Leg segment pair, with great differences observed in 120 and 80% of PWS for both groups.