Effects of walking poles on lower extremity gait mechanics

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether walking with po les reduces loading to the lower extremity during level over ground walking . Methods: Three-dimensional gait analysis was conducted on 13 healthy adul ts who completed 10 walking trials using three different poling conditions (selected poles, poles back, and poles front) and without the use of poles (no poles). The inverse dynamics approach was used to calculate kinetic dat a via anthropometric, kinematic, and kinetic data. Results: All walking wit h poles conditions increased walking speed (P = 0.0001-0.0004), stride leng th (P < 0.0001), and stance time (P < 0.0001) compared with the no poles co ndition. There also was a decrease in anterior-posterior GRF braking impuls e (P = 0.0001), a decrease in average vertical GRF walking with poles (P < 0.0001-0.0023), and a decrease in vertical (compressive) knee joint reactio n force (P < 0.0001-0.0041) compared with the no poles condition. At the kn ee, extensor impulse decreased a 7.3% between the no poles and selected pol es conditions (P = 0.0083-0.0287) and 10.4% between the no poles and poles back conditions (P < 0.0001). The support moment was reduced between the no poles and poles back (P = 0.0197) and poles front (P = 0.0002) conditions. Ankle plantarflexor work (A2) was reduced in the poles-front condition (P = 0.0334), but no differences were detected in all other ankle, knee or hip power and work variables (P > 0.05). Conclusion: There were differences in kinetic variables between walking with and without poles. The use of walki ng poles enabled subjects to walk at a faster speed with reduced vertical g round reaction forces, vertical knee joint reaction forces, and reduction i n the knee extensor angular impulse and support moment, depending on the po ling condition used.