Effect of Different Terrain Inclinations on Kinetic and Kinematic Parameters of Ankle Joint During Walking

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of walking up three ramps of different slopes (5º- 10º- 15º) on the two peaks of the ground reaction force (GRF), the ankle plantar flexion (PF) and dorsiflexion moments (DF) and the angular displacement of the right ankle joint in two different positions. The first position was the right foot inclination, left foot inclination in which both legs were placed on a ramp of the same slope. The second position was the right foot horizontal, left foot inclination in which the right leg was in direct contact with the horizontal ground and the left one was on a ramp. Thirty male students participated in this study. Their mean age, weight and height were 19.95 (±2.56) years, 73.73 (±6.44) Kg and 175.33 (±3.50) cm respectively. Each student was asked to walk up the three ramps in both positions. Data collection was carried out using the 3-D Motion Analysis System in conjunction with a force platform. The subjects were instructed to perform three trials during walking up each slope in the first and the second positions. Results revealed that in the first position there was no significant difference among the three tested ramps for each of the two peaks of the GRF. There was also no significant difference in the mean value of the ankle PF moment among the three tested ramps while there was a significant increase in the mean value of the ankle DF moments occurred at ramp 10º in relation to ramp 5º & ramp 15º reaching its minimum value at a ramp of 5º. In addition, in the second position there was a significant increase in the mean value of the 2nd peak of the GRF occurred at ramp 15º in relation to ramp 5º. While there was no significant difference among the three tested ramps for each of the ankle PF/DF moments. Consequently, it was concluded that walking up a ramp of 5º is much more preferable than walking up ramp of either 10º or 15º. This to decrease the demand on the dorsiflexors.