Search

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of a gravel surface on standing balance and overstepping an obstacle in walking. [Subjects] The subjects were 16 students. [Method] We measured center of gravity (COG) sway in static standing and the floor reaction force in overstepping an obstacle while walking on a flat surface and gravel. [Results] In quiet standing on the two surfaces, we found no significant differences for COG sway in path length, rectangular area, root mean square area, and the maximum amplitudes of sway in the X and Y directions. Compared with the flat surface, the floor reaction force in overstepping while walking on the gravel showed significant reductions in the second peak of vertical load and the anterior-posterior peak load. [Conclusion] The results reveal that the gravel surface had no effect on static balance, but in walking a defect appeared in double knee action, and the kick at the time of toe-off was weaker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]