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Lower extremity kinematics during walking with snowshoes

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dc.contributor.authorKurtz, Rebecca N., author
dc.contributor.authorReiser, Raoul Frederick, II, advisor
dc.contributor.authorBrowning, Raymond, advisor
dc.contributor.authorJones, Brian, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T04:39:02Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T04:39:02Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.descriptionDepartment Head: Richard Gay Israel.
dc.description.abstractThe popularity of snowshoeing as a form of winter recreation has increased in recent years, due, in part to the development of lightweight snowshoes that provide flotation, traction and stability. However, there is little data on the effects of snowshoes and their design on the biomechanics of walking. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of snowshoes and their frame design on lower extremity kinematics during level and downhill walking. We hypothesized that: 1) lower extremity sagittal plane kinematics would be altered during level snowshoe vs. overground walking; 2) during downhill walking, the use of a snowshoe with a flexible tail frame (flex tail) would reduce ankle plantarflexion and knee flexion angular velocities during early stance. METHODS: Twelve adults (6 males, 6 females, age, 26.7+5.6 yrs, body mass = 68.5±10.7 kg) with prior snowshoe experience completed six, 3-minute level walking trials. Three of the trials were at a walking speed of 1.4 m/s and three were at 0.9 m/s. Subjects walked on packed snow using conventional snowshoes and flex tail snowshoes and overground without snowshoes. In addition, each subject completed two downhill (14º grade) walking trials at a self-selected speed using conventional and flex tail snowshoes. We placed lightweight inertial/gyroscopic sensors on the sacrum, posterior mid-thigh, posterior mid-leg and on the dorsal aspect of the foot. During each trial, we recorded sensor orientation and calculated hip, knee and ankle joint angles and angular velocities. RESULTS: Participants had greater hip and knee flexion during stance and greater hip flexion during swing while snowshoe vs. overground walking on level ground at 1.4 m/s. At 0.9 m/s, subjects had a greater amount of knee flexion during snowshoeing. In addition, ankle plantarflexion began earlier in the gait cycle during snowshoe vs. overground walking. Lower extremity kinematics were similar across snowshoe frame designs during level and downhill walking. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that snowshoeing on packed snow alters lower extremity kinematics resulting in a more flexed leg compared to overground walking. The gait kinematics adopted during snowshoeing may reflect a strategy to limit the effects of having an extended heel on ankle plantarflexion during heel strike.
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifier2010_Spring_Kurtz_Rebecca.pdf
dc.identifierETDF2010100003HAES
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/38191
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.titleLower extremity kinematics during walking with snowshoes
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineHealth and Exercise Science
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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