INTRODUCTION

Our team studied the different movements associated with the leg joints and the trunk segment when a person runs on a flat versus an inclined surface. More specifically, we observed the effect on the knee and hip joints and trunk angle. The experiment is significant because it examined motion to determine if it was injurious to the joints and the lower back.

The purpose of this analysis was to determine if the change from a flat surface to an inclined surface caused the hip and knee joints to be forced into a harmful angle. We also looked at how this change affected the trunk angle and the relocation of the center of mass. The relocation of the center of mass could put added torque on the L5/S1 vertebra which could lead to lower back problems.