Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics (한국운동역학회지)

Korean Society of Applied Biomechanics (한국운동역학회)
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Effect of Leg Length Discrepancy on Gait and Cobb's Angle

  • Park, Ki Han (Department of Physical Education, Graduate School of Incheon National University) ;
  • Kim, Kew Wan (Department of Physical Education, College of Arts and Physical Education, Incheon National University) ;
  • Kim, Chol Hee (Department of Physical Education, Graduate School of Incheon National University)
  • Received : 2016.01.30
  • Accepted : 2016.03.16
  • Published : 2016.03.31
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Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leg length discrepancy (LLD) on the human body during gait and standing posture. Methods: The study group comprised of 17 adult participants with LLDs of <1 cm. LLDs were artificially induced to 0, 1, 2, and 3 cm. The proportion of weight distribution, shift of the mean center of pressure, and Cobb's angle were measured in the standing position. Kinematic variables such as walking and striding width and time, and the proportion of stance phase for single- and double-limb gait were measured as well. The participants were required to either stand or walk on a treadmill (Zebris FDM) with a pressure plate, and the Cobb's angle measurements were obtained from radiographs. Results: A discrepancy of 3 cm in leg length resulted in a statistically significant shift of the center of pressure in the standing position. Moreover, the Cobb angle increased as the discrepancy became larger. The step length and width of the longer (left) leg during gait statistically significantly increased when the discrepancy was 2 cm. In addition, step time was statistically significant when the discrepancy between the longer (right) and shorter (left) legs was more than 2 cm. The proportion of single-limb stance phase was statistically significant as the discrepancy became larger, especially when the discrepancy was >2 cm for the longer (right) leg and 1 cm for the shorter (right) leg. Conclusion: The study showed that LLD influenced deformations of the human body and walking.

Keywords

References

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