EVALUATION OF SPATIO-TEMPORAL GAIT PARAMETERS WITH AND WITHOUT A PREGNANCY BODYSUIT

EVALUATION OF SPATIO-TEMPORAL GAIT PARAMETERS WITH AND WITHOUT A PREGNANCY BODYSUIT Lucciola, A.Q., Cortis, C., Rodio, A. University of Cassino e Lazio Meridionale Introduction During pregnancy, various postural and biomechanical changes occur including weight gain, shifted center of gravity, ante- rior pelvic tilt, increase of lumbar lordosis and decrease abdominal muscle strength (Borg-Stein et al., 2005). Such changes can substan- tially modify the gait pattern, contributing to an overuse on the musculoskeletal system (increased demand on hip extensor and ankle plantar flexor muscles) that could cause lower limbs, hip and lower back pain (Foti et al., 2000). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of an innovative bodysuit with differentiated elasticities (ComfortBody®) designed to reorganize the augmented load from the lumbar area to the entire back, on spatio-temporal gait parameters during walking on a treadmill when compared to a placebo bodysuit in pregnant women. Methods After giving their informed consent of participation, 15 pregnant women (age: 30.6±3.8yrs; weight gain: 10.1±2.5kg) between 24th and 38th gestation week were included in a single-blind, randomized, placebo- controlled study. Participants were asked to walk 10-min on a treadmill (speed: 3km/h; slope: 0%) during 3 experimental sessions (famil- iarization, wearing the ComfortBody-B and placebo-P) with a 30-min recovery in between. Experimental sessions were scheduled on sessions 2 and 3 (B, P) through permuted-block randomization. At the end of B and P, participants were asked to rate the most comforta- ble session. Computerized stride analysis was used to measure spatial-temporal parameters of the walking pattern. Data normality was confirmed applying ShapiroWilk’s test and paired t-test was used to assess differences (p<0.05). Results Spatio-temporal showed signifi- cant (p<0.05) differences in stride length (B=1.11±0.06m, P=1.10±0.06m), cadence (B=90.4±4.9steps/m, P=91.1±4.9steps/m) and stance phase (B=0.89±0.04s; P=0.88±0.04s) while no difference emerged in swing phase. Most of the subjects (73%) indicated B as the most comfortable session. Discussion ComfortBody reducing thoracolumbar and lumbosacral angle (Federico et al., 2007), generating a reduction of anterior pelvic tilt would seem to ensure a greater hip extension in late stance phase and improve knee extension during terminal swing. These changes results in an increase stride length that ensure greater anterior-posterior stability (McAndrew Young & Dingwell 2012). ComfortBody could be a useful mean for the prevention of falls and the possible development of inflammatory diseases providing comfort, security and support in pregnant women. References Borg-Stein et al., 2005. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 84,180-92 Foti et al., 2000. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 82,625-32 Federico et al., 2007. Riv It Ost Gin. 16,707-722 McAndrew & Dingwell 2012. Gait Posture. 36,219-24