Ankle weighting effect on gait in able-bodied adults.

Abstract

Energy expenditure during ambulation was measured in 10 able-bodied subjects wearing symmetrically and asymmetrically added ankle weights. When a 1.82-kg weight was added to one ankle and then both ankles, baseline oxygen consumption per unit distance (0.148 +/- 0.025 mL O2/kg/m) increased significantly by 7.4% (0.159 +/- 0.025 mL O2/kg/m) and 17.6% (0.174 +/- 0.027 mL O2/kg/m), respectively. The rate of oxygen consumption rose by 6.3% to 11.28 +/- 1.57 mL O2/kg/min and by 14.2% to 12.12 +/- 1.75 mL O2/kg/min, respectively, but only the latter increase was significant. When gait was analyzed using the same weight-addition protocol, velocity, cadence, stride length, gait cycle, and double-limb support time showed no change. However, asymmetric weighting decreased single-limb support time, increased the swing phase, and decreased the stance phase of gait in the weighted limb. The unweighted leg was conversely affected. Symmetric ankle weighting caused a significant increase in single-limb support time for both extremities, consistent with previous data.