Ryan Mahaffey1, Stewart C Morrison2, Paul Bassett3, Wendy I Drechsler4, Mary C Cramp5. 1. School of Sport, Health and Applied Sciences, St Mary's University Twickenham, Waldegrave Rd, Twickenham, TW1 4SX, UK. Electronic address: ryan.mahaffey@stmarys.ac.uk. 2. University of Brighton, School of Health Sciences, Darley Road, Eastbourne, BN20 7UR, UK. Electronic address: S.C.Morrison@brighton.ac.uk. 3. Statsconsultancy Ltd., 40 Longwood Lane, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 9EN, UK. Electronic address: paul@statsconsultancy.co.uk. 4. Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Kings College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK. Electronic address: wendy.drechsler@kcl.ac.uk. 5. Department of Allied Health Professions, Glenside Campus, University of West England, Blackberry Hill, Bristol, BS16 1DD, UK. Electronic address: Mary.Cramp@uwe.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is associated with musculoskeletal dysfunction and altered lower limb biomechanics during gait. Few previous studies have explored relationships between childhood obesity measured by body fat and lower limb joint waveform kinematics and kinetics. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the association between body fat and hip, knee and ankle joint angles and moments during gait and in 7 to 11 year-old boys? METHODS: Fifty-five boys participated in the study. Body fat was measured by air displacement plethysmography. Hip, knee and ankle 3D waveforms of joint angles and moments were recorded during gait. Principle component analysis was used to reduce the multidimensional nature of the waveform into components representing parts of the gait cycle. Multiple linear regression analysis determined the association between the components with body fat. RESULTS: Higher body fat predicted greater hip flexion, knee flexion and knee internal rotation during late stance and greater ankle external rotation in late swing/early stance. Greater hip flexion and adduction moments were found in early stance with higher body fat. In mid-stance, greater knee adduction moments were associated with high body fat. Finally, at the ankle, higher body fat was predictive of greater internal rotation moments. SIGNIFICANCE: The study presents novel information on relationships between body fat and kinematic and kinetic waveform analysis of paediatric gait. The findings suggest altered lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics with high body fat in young boys. The findings may help to inform research in to preventing musculoskeletal comorbidities and promoting weight management.
BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is associated with musculoskeletal dysfunction and altered lower limb biomechanics during gait. Few previous studies have explored relationships between childhood obesity measured by body fat and lower limb joint waveform kinematics and kinetics. RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the association between body fat and hip, knee and ankle joint angles and moments during gait and in 7 to 11 year-old boys? METHODS: Fifty-five boys participated in the study. Body fat was measured by air displacement plethysmography. Hip, knee and ankle 3D waveforms of joint angles and moments were recorded during gait. Principle component analysis was used to reduce the multidimensional nature of the waveform into components representing parts of the gait cycle. Multiple linear regression analysis determined the association between the components with body fat. RESULTS: Higher body fat predicted greater hip flexion, knee flexion and knee internal rotation during late stance and greater ankle external rotation in late swing/early stance. Greater hip flexion and adduction moments were found in early stance with higher body fat. In mid-stance, greater knee adduction moments were associated with high body fat. Finally, at the ankle, higher body fat was predictive of greater internal rotation moments. SIGNIFICANCE: The study presents novel information on relationships between body fat and kinematic and kinetic waveform analysis of paediatric gait. The findings suggest altered lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics with high body fat in young boys. The findings may help to inform research in to preventing musculoskeletal comorbidities and promoting weight management.
Authors: Yihong Zhao; Debin Zheng; Shiyang Yan; Mengyuan Liu; Luming Yang Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-09-10 Impact factor: 3.390