GENDER DIFFERENCES IN JOINT BIOMECHANICS DURING WALKING - NORMATIVE STUDY IN YOUNG-ADULTS

The effect of gender on specific joint biomechanics during gait has be en largely unexplored. Given the perceived, subjective, and temporal d ifferences in walking between genders, we hypothesized that quantitati ve analysis would reveal specific gender differences in joint biomecha nics as well. Sagittal kinematic (joint motion) and kinetic (joint tor que and power) data from the lower limbs during walking were collected and analyzed in 99 young adult subjects (49 females), aged 20 to 40 y ears, using an optoelectronic motion analysis and force platform syste m. Kinetic data were normalized for both height and weight. Female and male data were compared graphically and statistically to assess diffe rences in all major peak joint kinematic and kinetic values. Females h ad significantly greater hip flexion and less knee extension before in itial contact, greater knee flexion moment in pre-swing, and greater p eak mechanical joint power absorption at the knee in pre-swing (P < 0. 0019 for each parameter). Other differences were noted (P < 0.05) that were not statistically significant when accounting for multiple compa risons. These gender differences may provide new insights into walking dynamics and may be important for both clinical and research studies in motivating the development of separate biomechanical reference data bases for males and females.