Lower-Limb Joint Coordination Pattern in Obese Subjects

Abstract

The coordinative pattern is an important feature of locomotion that has been studied in a number of pathologies. It has been observed that adaptive changes in coordination patterns are due to both external and internal constraints. Obesity is characterized by the presence of excess mass at pelvis and lower-limb areas, causing mechanical constraints that central nervous system could manage modifying the physiological interjoint coupling relationships. Since an altered coordination pattern may induce joint diseases and falls risk, the aim of this study was to analyze whether and how coordination during walking is affected by obesity. We evaluated interjoint coordination during walking in 25 obese subjects as well as in a control group. The time-distance parameters and joint kinematics were also measured. When compared with the control group, obese people displayed a substantial similarity in joint kinematic parameters and some differences in the time-distance and in the coupling parameters. Obese subjects revealed higher values in stride-to-stride intrasubjects variability in interjoint coupling parameters, whereas the coordinative mean pattern was unaltered. The increased variability in the coupling parameters is associated with an increased risk of falls and thus should be taken into account when designing treatments aimed at restoring a normal locomotion pattern.

Disability, Physical Inactivity, and Impaired Health-Related Quality of Life Are Not Different in Metabolically Healthy vs. Unhealthy Obese Subjects

“…In addition, muscle strength per unit of skeletal muscle mass declines with increasing adiposity, even though lean body mass increases in parallel with fat mass in obese individuals [31]. Furthermore, biomechanical implications of excess weight also need to be taken into account: alterations in movement coordination may occur in people with high BMI as an attempt to maintain stability, but these movement adaptations may be responsible for walking difficulties and may lower the level of safety in physical activity and physical performance [42,43,44]. …”

Beware of Ultra-Low-Velocity Knee Dislocation

“…There is also a large body of evidence suggesting that obese patients have displaced centers of mass and altered gait kinematics and are at increased risk of falls. 15,16 In a morbidly obese patient with a generous soft tissue envelope, deformity of the femur and tibia at the knee can be difficult to assess clinically. This can result in dulled suspicion at the time of index evaluation and a delay to radiography.…”

Validity of bodily-rhythmic coordination field test for obese people

“…The relevance of the test here presented lies in the importance of coordination as a skill in human relationship with the environment. Besides, the influence of excess weight on the movements in people with obesity is highlighted (Ranavolo et al, 2013). …”

“…Furthermore, the prevalence of overweight and obesity can result in low levels of physical activity and therefore of physical function and the onset of chronic diseases (Houston et al, 2009). Additionally, body movements are influenced by excess weight in obese people (Ranavolo, Donini, Mari, Serrao, Silvetti, Iavicoli, & Draicchio, 2013). In this sense, in the obese, low physical activity levels was associated with a significantly increased risk of mobility limitation (Koster et al, 2007).…”