It is apparent that inclement weather, specifically ice and snow, decreases the coefficient of friction on a walking path and increases resistance to locomotion. What differences, if any, occur in the gait of an individual walking in deep snow and walking on even ground? In the research of Chong and colleagues (1997), a relationship was shown between trunk and lower extremity musculature in the maintenance of balance during locomotion. Patla (1995) also observed a relationship between overcoming obstacles and joint motion at the hip and knee. In this study, snow is an obstacle for which the body must compensate in order to maintain balance and upright forward motion.
This experiment examines the posture and angular kinematics of the trunk and lower extremities. Body motion of a subject will be analyzed during walking in deep snow and on a hardwood floor. The video data will be digitally analyzed to express these gait differences in the greatest detail.