%0 Journal Article
%T Temporal and spatial parameters of gait during pregnancy
%J Acta of bioengineering and biomechanics
%D 2015
%A Rooze, Marcel
%A Feipel, Véronique
%A Bertuit, Jeanne
%V 17
%N 2
%P 93-101
%X PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to describe spatial and temporal parameters during gait in pregnant women, and to compare it with women in post-partum and with a control group. <br><br>METHODS: To investigate alteration in natural locomotion, we used an electronic walkway (GAITRite system). Fifty-eight pregnant women (four last months of pregnancy), nine post-partum women and twenty-three healthy nulligravidae women participated in this study. The women performed the motor task at three different speeds: preferred, fast and slow. Spatial and temporal parameters for pregnant and non-pregnant were compared. <br><br>RESULTS: In pregnant women, gait speed, step length and cadence were reduced. Consequently, cycle time was longer. The gait cycle was modified by an increase of stance phase and a decrease of swing phase. As a result, an increase of double support and a decrease of single support phases were observed. Step width increased by 15%. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of gait displayed significant modifications during pregnancy as compared to nulliparous women. These changes favour a more stable and safe gait. After childbirth, women kept some characteristics of gait in pregnancy during 8 months.<p /><p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Oficyna Wydawnicza Politechniki Wrocławskiej
%@ 1509-409X
%U http://dx.doi.org/