engleski

Anthropometric characteristics and gait transition speed in human locomotion

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anthropometric parameters and the preferred transition speed (PTS) in human locomotion, in both genders. The studies exploring body measures as determinants of the PTS are biased toward longitudinal dimensions, as the relationships between the PTS and transverse body dimensions have not been examined so far. Longitudinal and transverse anthropometric parameters were measured in 54 PE students (23 males, 31 females), and an exercise test was performed for determination of the PTS. Correlation coefficients between the anthropometric variables and the PTS were calculated, and a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was derived. Weak to moderate correlations between several body size and body shape variables and the PTS were found. In males, a significant negative correlation of the bitrochanteric diameter/height (BD/H) ratio with the PTS was found (r=-0.61, p<0.01). In females, calf girth was significantly negatively correlated with the PTS (r=-0.55, p<0.01). The results of this study suggest that gait transition speed in humans is related to transverse and longitudinal body dimensions, and that sexual dimorphism in body size and shape should be taken into consideration for proper interpretation of the PTS.

human locomotion ; gait transition speed ; anthropometry ; gender differences

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