A biomechanical analysis of human climbing up and down stairs

number: 
2893
English
Degree: 
Author: 
Zahra'a Mohammed Abdulhassan
Supervisor: 
Dr. Sadiq J. Abass
year: 
2012
Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the biomechanics in humans during stair climbing and the influence of stair slope variation on gait cycle. The analysis of biomechanical aspect involved in stair ascent and descent can add to our understanding of the diverse and complicated processes involved in human locomotion and also be useful in the design of private and public environments where stairs are employed. Another application is in the field of gait rehabilitation. A comprehensive movement analysis of stair climbing can support the evaluation of joint replacement or prostheses development. A staircase was designed and developed that allowed the collection of kinematics at different staircase inclinations. Five healthy young males aged 21 to 28 years participated in the study. Subjects ascended and descended a four-step staircase at three different inclinations (24°, 30°, and 42°). The analysis is performed using kinovea software and data were further processed using origin software. Hip, knee and ankle kinematics in sagittal plane during stair ascent and descent were reported. Temporal gait cycle parameters were significantly affected by staircase inclination but Joint angles showed a relatively low but significant dependency on the inclination. This study presents a normative database, which could be used as reference data for assessment of stair locomotion.