INTRODUCTION

Many factors influence one's ability to balance while walking. For example, previous research has found that an increase in beam height has an adverse effect on walking performance (Giacalone and Rarick, 1985). We chose to look at how balance and gait differ when walking on a four foot high balance beam verses walking on a line of the same width on the floor. As students interested in rehabilitation, we feel it is important to recognize any differences we may find in order to develop programs and devices to help care for patients with balance problems, especially the elderly.

The purpose of this study is to provide information about this topic because little previous research exists as of today. In this study we examine the biomechanics of the hip and knee joint as well as the trunk segment during both floor and beam walking. We chose to analyze normal gait as opposed to tandem walking because it is more representative of everyday movement. Differences in trunk movements, stride length, and gait velocity may indicate difficulties in balance.