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Data from: Probability of lateral instability while walking on winding paths

Render, Anna1; Cusumano, Joseph1; Dingwell, Jonathan1

Research facility: Pennsylvania State University
Published Oct 28, 2024 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.3tx95x6rb

Data files

Abstract

Gait biomechanics is most often studied during straight-ahead walking. However, real-life walking imposes many turns and/or other such maneuvers that people must navigate.  Such maneuvers challenge people’s lateral balance. In older adults or others with impaired walking, such tasks can induce falls, which can increase risk of injuries in these populations.  Therefore, determining how people’s lateral balance is impacted during these more complex walking tasks, and how they adapt their steps, is critical.  Here, we asked 24 young healthy adult participants (12F/12M; Age 25.8±3.5yrs) to walk on both wide and narrow virtual paths that were either straight, slowly-winding, or quickly-winding. This data set comprises their lower body, pelvis, and head kinematics as they walked along those paths. A file of participant characteristics (.xlsx), including group demographics, participant anthropometrics, and assessment scores is also provided. In addition, a marker-set definition file (.xlsx) is also provided. These data include how people navigate paths of different width and curviness, which may lend themselves to several applications such as investigations of more real-world gait interventions to target adaptive strategies that could more effectively improve mobility.