Effects of Upper Limb Fatigue on Gait Stability

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of upper limb muscle fatigue on gait stability. Two groups, namely the fatigue group and the non-fatigue group, were recruited. In the fatigue group, upper limb fatigue was induced by repetitive lifting exercises. Right after fatiguing exercises, walking trials were conducted. Participants from the non-fatigue control group were only involved in walking trials. Kinematic data such as step length, step width, gait variability, gait velocity, heel contact velocity and knee flexion velocity were extracted for gait analysis after post processing. Results showed that upper limb fatigue had led to increase in both heel contact velocity and step length variability mean values, suggesting that upper-limb fatigue is detrimental to stability and could lead to slip-induced falls.