Reliability of selected ground reaction force parameters during walking

• Published in: Human movement science Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 117 - 131
• Main Authors: Hamill, Joseph, McNiven, Susan L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.04.1990; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports; Biomechanics; Gravitational force; Human; Measurement; Walking; Statistical study
• ISSN: 0167-9457; 1872-7646
• DOI: 10.1016/0167-9457(90)90023-7

The purpose of this study was to determine the appropriate number of trials to establish a stable mean and the intraday and interday reliability of selected ground reaction force (GRF) parameters during walking. A sequential estimation technique was used to determine that 10 trials were required to establish a stable mean in any block of trials and, as a result, 10-trial mean values for each parameter were generated for each parameter for each subject. Reliability was determined using statistical tests for stability and consistency of the data. ANOVA indicated a high degree of stability in the data both between blocks and days. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficients were generated between blocks on each day and between days to test the consistency of the data. Correlation coefficients were generally higher between blocks on days 2 and 3 ( r > 0.82) than on day 1 ( r > 0.71). The correlations between days 2 and 3 were higher ( r > 0.86) than between days 1 and 2 ( r > 0.75). These data imply that: (1) at least 10 trials are necessary for stable GRF data after a 10-trial warm-up in that block; and (2) testing should take place on more than one day using the day-1 results as a practice session.