Variability of Ground Reaction Forces in Healthy Subjects during Stair Climbing

Luder, Gerhard; Baumann, Thomas; Jost, Christoph; Schmid, Stefan; Radlinger, Lorenz (2007). Variability of Ground Reaction Forces in Healthy Subjects during Stair Climbing Physioscience, 3(4), pp. 181-187. Georg Thieme Verlag 10.1055/s-2007-963629

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Background: Stair climbing is an important activity of daily life, but well established knowledge is rare and the variability of ground reaction forces is not clear. However, variability could possibly serve as indicator for the stability or instability of a movement pattern. Objective: The aim of this study was to measure the variability of ground reaction forces during stair climbing. Method: Anamnestically and during stair climbing the subjects were painfree. A force plate (Kistler) was integrated in the third step of the study staircase. Every subject had to climb the stair up and down 10 times. Vertical ground reaction force was measured. The force-time-curves were parameterised and the coefficients of variation of selected force and time parameters were computed. Results: The median coefficients of variation were between 3.0 and 12.4 %. Variability for all parameters was higher in stair descent than in ascent. Conclusions: The coefficients of variation can be used as normative values. The variability in stair climbing is higher than in level gait. The higher variability in stair descent could be explained as result of higher and faster eccentric force impulses and thus of more demanding coordination skills. The question whether the variability of movement pattern has to be interpreted as compensation or disorder still remains unanswered.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Health Professions School of Health Professions > Physiotherapy
Name:	Luder, Gerhard0000-0003-4742-4225; Baumann, Thomas; Jost, Christoph; Schmid, Stefan0000-0001-5138-9800 and Radlinger, Lorenz0000-0002-0326-6264
ISSN:	1860-3092
Publisher:	Georg Thieme Verlag
Language:	German
Submitter:	Stefan Schmid
Date Deposited:	27 Nov 2019 17:28
Last Modified:	18 Dec 2020 13:29
Publisher DOI:	10.1055/s-2007-963629
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.9106
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/9106