Three-dimensional lower extremity kinematics of Chinese during activities of daily living

OBJECTIVE: There were gender differences regarding lower extremity kinematics. The purpose of this study was to investigate three-dimensional kinematics of lower extremity for young Chinese during daily activities and to identify gender differences in lower extremity kinematics. METHODS: Lower extremity motions of 40 healthy volunteers (20 males and 20 females) were recorded while each subject performing each of three daily activities (walking, jogging, and deep squatting). The spatiotemporal parameters (speed, cadence and step length) and 3D joint kinematics (peak angles and mean range of motions) were compared with previous results and within gender group. Independent t-tests were used to test statistical significance (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Statistical analysis suggested that there was no gender difference in sagittal plane motions at the hip, knee and ankle joints, while females displayed greater non-sagittal plane joint motions compared to their male counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of this study added basic understanding of joint biomechanics during daily activities of Chinese and provided a basis for comparison to patients with various joint diseases.