Energy absorption at lower limb joints in different foot contact strategies while descending stairs

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Joint loads in different walking strategies during stair descent have been investigated in terms of the joint moment in association with the risk of osteoarthritis. However, the absorption mechanisms of the potential energy loss are not known. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the mechanical energy absorptions in lower limb joints in different initial foot contact strategies. METHODS: Nineteen young subjects walked down on instrumented stairs with two different strategies, i.e., forefoot and rearfoot strike. Power and energy at lower limb joints during stance phase were compared between strategies. RESULTS: Lower limb joints absorbed 73 ± 11% of the potential energy released by descending stairs and there was no difference between strategies. Rearfoot strategy absorbed less energy than forefoot strategy at the ankle joint in the 1st phase, which was compensated mainly by more energy absorption at the knee in the 2nd phase and less energy generation at the hip joints in the 3rd phase. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a leg absorbs most of the potential energy while descending stairs irrespective of the walking strategies and that any reduction of energy absorption at one joint is compensated by other joints. Greater energy absorption at the knee joint compared to the other joints suggests high burden of knee joint muscles and connective tissues during stair-descent, which is even more significant for the rearfoot strike strategy.

Comparison of biomechanical parameters in lower limb joints of stroke patients according to conventional evaluation scores during level walking

“…The absorption power of a joint is the reduction in energy by absorbing an external impact or braking the acceleration coming from the ipsilateral leg, while the generation power is the increase in energy that allows the torso to move forward ( Zajac et al, 2002 ; McGibbon, 2003 ; Levinger et al, 2016 ; Pickle et al, 2016 ; Jeon et al, 2021 ). Therefore, the decrease in lower limb joint absorption power in the FAC 4 group indicates that the lower limb was not able to absorb sufficient shock.…”

Effects of Vibration Strength Training on Lower Limb Joints in Long Jumpers

“…First, the knee joint has the largest increase in the relative peak torque of the lower extremity joint flexors, followed by the hip joint, and the third is the ankle joint. 10 Then the relative peak torque of the lower extremity flexors increased the most in the ankle joint, followed by the knee joint, and the third in the hip joint. As shown in Figure 4, the change curve of hip, knee, and ankle extensor and flexor muscles.…”