Transition versus Continuous Slope Walking: Adaptation to Change Center of Mass Velocity in Young Men

Figure 1

Custom-made slope walkway in a diagonal view. (a) Illustration of the lower extremity during walking at the up-down transition on a triangle-shaped slope. When the body’s center of mass (COM) is behind the center of pressure (COP) at an early stance phase, the gravitational force generates a backward angular momentum. To prevent backward falls, the backward angular momentum must be resisted. When the body’s COM is ahead of the COP at a late stance phase, the gravitational force generates a forward angular momentum. To prevent forward falls, the forward angular momentum must be resisted. The anterior-posterior axis of the COP is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the foot progression line. The medial-lateral axis of the COP is perpendicular to the anterior-posterior axis of the COP. (b) Continuous uphill walkway. To recalculate the measurements of the 3 axes of the ground reaction force, a global reference frame was established on the ground, and the force plate had its own local reference frame.

(a)

(b)