Gait Coordination Quantification of Thigh-Leg Segments in Sedentary and Active Youngs at Different Speeds Using the Modified Vector Coding Technique

The aim of the present study was to quantify the variability coordination of Thigh-Leg segments, during gait, of young sedentary and active at different speeds (preferred walk- ing speed (PWS), 120% of PWS and 80% of PWS) using the previously reported modified Vector Coding technique, to record the segmental angles. Thirty young people participated in this study, of which 15 practiced physical activities at least an hour a day and three times a week, and 15 were sedentary. For data collection they executed a protocol of one-minute walking on a treadmill at each speed, in a randomized order. For the Thigh-Leg segments, the angles were computed during four phases of the gait (first double support, single support, second double support, and swing), in the sagittal plane (flexion/extension angles). The data were analyzed using a customized Matlab code. There were statistical differences for the Thigh-Leg segment pair, with great differences observed in 120 and 80% of PWS for both groups.