Pedestrian dynamics on slopes: Empirical analysis of level, uphill, and downhill walking

Xie, Wei; Wai Ming Lee, Eric; Li, Tao; Jiang, Nan; Ma, Yi

doi:10.1016/j.ssci.2024.106429

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…This increased activity, in turn, may induce significantly greater vGRF on the forefoot compared to the rearfoot, as revealed in the present and previous studies [21]. However, these forces may have decreased as the slope increased, as uphill walking was selected to be performed at slower speeds, requiring less muscle activation Another factor that may have influenced vGRFs was the speeds selected for uphill and downhill walking, which, according to Tobler's hiking function and empirical data [23,61], decrease as the gradient of the treadmill's surface increases, except for the 10% downhill walking, where speed remains the same as that of level walking. Early studies have shown that vGRFs increased as speed increased during level walking [62,63].…”

Section: Vertical Ground Reaction Forcesmentioning

confidence: 52%

“…Another factor that may have influenced vGRFs was the speeds selected for uphill and downhill walking, which, according to Tobler's hiking function and empirical data [23,61], decrease as the gradient of the treadmill's surface increases, except for the 10% downhill walking, where speed remains the same as that of level walking. Early studies have shown that vGRFs increased as speed increased during level walking [62,63].…”

Section: Vertical Ground Reaction Forcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of Hiking-Dependent Walking Speeds and Slopes on Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters and Ground Reaction Forces: A Treadmill-Based Analysis in Healthy Young Adults

Kafetzakis,

Konstantinou,

Mandalidis

2024

Applied Sciences

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Hiking offers both recreational enjoyment and physical challenges, requiring speed adjustments when traversing uphill and downhill slopes. These adjustments prompt compensatory responses in kinematics and kinetics to mitigate fatigue and musculoskeletal strains. The study aimed to explore the impact of slope-specific walking speeds on spatiotemporal gait parameters, vertical ground reaction forces (vGRFs), and position of the center of pressure (COP) during uphill and downhill walking. Thirty-two healthy individuals completed five 4-min walks on an instrumented treadmill set to 0% (level), +10%, and +20% (uphill), and −10% and −20% (downhill), slopes, at 5.0, 3.5, 2.5, 5.0 and 3.5 km h−1, respectively. Uphill walking led to reduced stride length and cadence, increased foot rotation, step time, and durations of stance, swing, and double-stance phases. Conversely, downhill walking exhibited decreased step length, step time, and durations of stance, swing, and double-stance phases but increased step width and cadence compared to level walking. Speed adjustments to accommodate slope led to reduced vGRFs for uphill and downhill walking. Additionally, the COP shifted forward during uphill and backward during downhill walking and displaced laterally as walking became more demanding. The observed responses indicate adaptations aimed at maintaining postural control, reducing excessive load application, and optimizing energy expenditure on sloping terrain.

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