Local Dynamic Joint Stability During Human Treadmill Walking in Response to Lower Limb Segmental Loading Perturbations

Our purpose was to quantify changes in local dynamic stability (LDS) of the lumbar spine, hip, knee, and ankle in response to changes in lower limb segment mass, as well as to quantify temporal adaptations to segment loading during treadmill walking. Results demonstrate that increased mass distal to a joint yields either the maintenance of, or increased stabilization of, that particular joint relative to the unloaded condition. Increased mass proximal to a particular joint resulted in joint destabilization. The hip and ankle LDS were observed to change temporally, independent of segment loading condition, suggesting adaptation to walking on a treadmill interface.