Objective: To investigate the characteristics of ramp walking.
Method: The sagittal kinematic and temporospatial data of ramp and level walking were obtained by a motion analyzer for ten healthy young adults.
Results: Compared with the values of level walking, the range of motion of ankle at all degrees for up-hill walking and the ROM of hip at 20o down-hill and all degrees for up-hill walking were significantly different (p＜0.05). The peak dorsiflexion of ankle at 20o of up-hill and at 20o down-hill walking increased significantly (p＜0.05) and peak plantar flexion of ankle at all degrees of up-hill walking increased significantly (p＜0.05). The peak flexion of knee at 20o of up-hill walking increased significantly (p＜0.05) and peak extension of knee at 20o of up-hill and down-hill walking also increased significantly (p＜0.05). The peak flexion angles of hip at all degrees for up and down-hill walking were significantly different (p＜0.05) and peak extension angles of hip at 10o of up-hill walking increased significantly (p＜0.05). The temporospatial data showed no significant difference.
Conclusion: Ramp walking showed a different kinematic gait pattern. So, this study may be useful to evaluate the effect of gait training on the ramp and pathologic gait patterns. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2003; 27: 952-957)
