Effects of Diferent Step Widths in Lunge Movement on Dynamic Loads of the Lower Limb Joints

Abstract

[Purpose] In this study, the author investigated the kinetic loads of the lower limb joints in lunge movements with different step widths. [Subjects] Subjects were 8 healthy males. [Methods] Each subject performed the lunge movement with two different steps: the greatest step width (Long-step) and half the greatest step width (Short-step). A motion analysis system and force plate were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data of the lower limb joints, and the joint forces and torques of the hip, knee and ankle joints in the lunge movement were calculated. [Results] The ground reaction force showed a significantly larger value in the long-step. The compression and front shear forces of the hip, knee and ankle showed significantly larger values in the long-step. The joint torques of hip flexion and ankle plantar flexion showed significantly larger values in the long-step, and the knee extension torque showed a significantly larger value in the short-step. [Conclusion] The results suggest that it is important to choose an appropriate step width in therapeutic purposes for the lower limb joints when the lunge movement is adopted as a kind of physical therapy. © 2009, The Society of Physical Therapy Science. All rights reserved.