The influence of body mass on gait parameters

Abstract

This research assessed the relationship between increased body mass and gait. Previous literature has noted that a reduced velocity is adopted by overweight participants. Velocity has been shown to have a confounding influence on gait. It is difficult to determine which changes reported are due to an increase in body mass, and not the result of a reduction in velocity. The author's therefore also assessed the influence of auditory cueing on gait, as a means of constraining velocity. This enabled the direct assessment of the relationship between body mass and gait.