Normative data of knee joint motion and ground reaction forces in adult level walking.

A normative data base of temporal distance factors, knee joint motion and ground reaction force patterns for 148 adults during level walking is reported. The data were studied using parametric and non-parametric (Fourier series) representations to facilitate statistical analyses. Key parameters were divided according to age and sex. Individual force and motion curves of each normal subject were averaged to establish the 'typical' patterns. All typical patterns were combined to construct the 'general' patterns. The essential number and most significant Fourier coefficients were determined. It was found that the sex-related variation is more significant than the age-related variation in adult gait. This data base can serve as a common reference for comparison.