The differences in sagittal plane whole-body angular momentum during gait between patients with hemiparesis and healthy people

Regulation of whole-body angular momentum (WBAM) is essential for maintaining dynamic balance during gait. Patients with hemiparesis frequently fall toward the anterior direction; however, whether this is due to impaired WBAM control in the sagittal plane during gait remains unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the differences in WBAM in the sagittal plane during gait between patients with hemiparesis and healthy individuals. Thirty-three chronic stroke patients with hemiparesis and twenty-two age- and gender-matched healthy controls walked along a 7-m walkway while gait data were recorded using a motion analysis system and force plates. WBAM and joint moment were calculated in the sagittal plane during each gait cycle. The range of WBAM in the sagittal plane in the second half of the paretic gait cycle was significantly larger than that in the first and second halves of the right gait cycle in the controls (P = 0.015 and P = 0.011). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis revealed the slower walking speed (P < 0.001) and larger knee extension moment on the non-paretic side (P = 0.003) contributed to the larger range of WBAM in the sagittal plane in the second half of the paretic gait cycle. Our findings suggest that dynamic stability in the sagittal plane is impaired in the second half of the paretic gait cycle. In addition, the large knee extension moment on the non-paretic side might play a role in the dynamic instability in the sagittal plane during gait in patients with hemiparesis.