Published online Oct 16, 2023. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i29.7061
Peer-review started: July 20, 2023
First decision: August 30, 2023
Revised: September 4, 2023
Accepted: September 18, 2023
Article in press: September 18, 2023
Published online: October 16, 2023
Processing time: 85 Days and 8.3 Hours
Gait refers to the movement patterns and rhythms of various body parts during walking, making it a crucial indicator of human movement and overall health. Currently, there is a relatively limited studies on the gait characteristics of Chinese male and female populations. To address this gap and provide more precise reference values for the region, we aimed to collect gait data from healthy Chinese university students and conduct a comprehensive analysis of sex-based differences.
Through this study, we aimed to reveal the commonalities and disparities in gait between Chinese men and women, thereby providing a more accurate foundation and reference for future clinical diagnosis and treatment. This research could have a positive impact on improving diagnosis and rehabilitation measures for relevant conditions, as well as optimizing sports training and exercise rehabilitation programs.
We collected gait data from healthy university students in China and conducted a detailed analysis of their gait characteristics, including stride length, step frequency, and gait cycle. Through this study, we will gain a deeper understanding of sex-based differences in the gait characteristics of male and female individuals in China, providing valuable data and guidance for medical and rehabilitation practices in this region. Additionally, these findings have the potential to optimize sports training and exercise rehabilitation programs, and promote overall health and physical performance.
A total of 171 volunteers participated in this study, with an average age of 24.63 ± 2.19 years. Baseline data of the participants were collected, including gender, age, height, weight, body mass index, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, Lysholm knee score, and Harris hip score. Gait data were captured using the Qualisys three-dimensional motion capture system. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0 and MATLAB (R2020b, The MathWorks Inc).
In this study, significant differences were observed between males and females in the range of motion of the knee joint in the sagittal plane, while smaller differences were observed in the range of motion of the hip joint. No significant differences were observed in the range of motion of the ankle joint between males and females, suggesting the existence of potentially distinct gait patterns for each sex. This study provides more accurate evidence for future clinical diagnosis and treatment.
In future studies, we will increase the sample size and collect gait data from the same participants in different age groups to study changes in gait across various age ranges.
This study utilized statistical parameter mapping to analyze the gait characteristics of males and females throughout the gait cycle, providing motion parameters for the hip, knee, and ankle joints. These findings highlighted the importance of considering sex-based differences in gait biomechanics in future studies.
When guiding treatment plans, healthcare providers should be vigilant of the varying expectations of different sexes and racial or ethnic groups. Considering these expectations is crucial to enhance patient compliance and improve treatment outcomes.