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Racial differences in gait mechanics.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hill, CN; Reed, W; Schmitt, D; Sands, LP; Queen, RM
Published in: Journal of biomechanics
November 2020

The effect of race has rarely been investigated in biomechanics studies despite racial health disparities in the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries and disease, hindering both treatment and assessment of rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that racial differences in gait mechanics exist between African Americans (AA) and white Americans (WA). Ninety-two participants (18-30 years old) were recruited with equal numbers in each racial group and sex. Self-selected walking speed was measured for each participant. 3D motion capture and force plate data were recorded during 7 walking trials at regular and fast set speeds. Step length, step width, peak vertical ground reaction force, peak hip extension, peak knee flexion, and peak ankle plantarflexion were computed for all trials at both set speeds. Multivariate and post-hoc univariate ANOVA models were fit to determine main and interaction effects of sex and race (SPSS V26, α = 0.05). Self-selected walking speed was slower in AA (p = 0.004, ƞp2 = 0.088). No significant interactions between race and sex were identified. Males took longer steps (regular: p < 0.001, ƞp2 = 0.288, fast: p < 0.001, ƞp2 = 0.193) and had larger peak knee flexion (regular: p = 0.007, ƞp2 = 0.081, fast: p < 0.001, ƞp2 = 0.188) and ankle plantarflexion angles (regular: p = 0.050, ƞp2 = 0.044, fast: p = 0.049, ƞp2 = 0.044). Peak ankle plantarflexion angle (regular: p = 0.012, ƞp2 = 0.071, fast: p < 0.001, ƞp2 = 0.137) and peak hip extension angle during fast walking (p = 0.007, ƞp2 = 0.083) were smaller in AA. Equivalency in gait measures between racial groups should not be assumed. Racially diverse study samples should be prioritized in the development of future research and individualized treatment protocols.

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Published In

Journal of biomechanics

DOI

EISSN

1873-2380

ISSN

0021-9290

Publication Date

November 2020

Volume

112

Start / End Page

110070

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Walking
  • Race Factors
  • Male
  • Knee Joint
  • Humans
  • Gait
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Ankle Joint
 

Citation

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Hill, C. N., Reed, W., Schmitt, D., Sands, L. P., & Queen, R. M. (2020). Racial differences in gait mechanics. Journal of Biomechanics, 112, 110070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110070
Hill, Cherice N., Wornie Reed, Daniel Schmitt, Laura P. Sands, and Robin M. Queen. “Racial differences in gait mechanics.Journal of Biomechanics 112 (November 2020): 110070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110070.
Hill CN, Reed W, Schmitt D, Sands LP, Queen RM. Racial differences in gait mechanics. Journal of biomechanics. 2020 Nov;112:110070.
Hill, Cherice N., et al. “Racial differences in gait mechanics.Journal of Biomechanics, vol. 112, Nov. 2020, p. 110070. Epmc, doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110070.
Hill CN, Reed W, Schmitt D, Sands LP, Queen RM. Racial differences in gait mechanics. Journal of biomechanics. 2020 Nov;112:110070.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of biomechanics

DOI

EISSN

1873-2380

ISSN

0021-9290

Publication Date

November 2020

Volume

112

Start / End Page

110070

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Walking
  • Race Factors
  • Male
  • Knee Joint
  • Humans
  • Gait
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Ankle Joint