Gender Differences in Joint Biomechanics During Obstacle Crossing with Different Heights

Identifying gender-related gait changes offers valuable insights into the role of gender in motor control. It is anticipated that more difficult gait tasks (obstacle crossing) may reveal gender-specific effects on gait parameters. The present study aimed to explore the gait adaptations of male and female participants when stepping over obstacles of 0 cm, 13 cm, 19 cm, and 26 cm in height. A total of 12 male and 12 female participants were recruited. The Vicon motion capture system and AMTI force plates were utilized to obtain the gait parameters. Moreover, spatiotemporal parameters were investigated. Two-way repeated ANOVA (gender × obstacle height) and three-way repeated ANOVA (gender × obstacle height × leg) were performed to compare gait parameters, respectively. Correlations between maximum joint angle and obstacle height were also evaluated. Significant interactions were observed for leading leg swing time, maximum hip extension angle, maximum knee flexion angle, and maximum ankle plantarflexion angle (gender × obstacle height). There were some differences in gait parameters between males and females in the unobstructed gait, and these changes became more evident as obstacle height increased. This study also identified significant differences in gait parameters between leading and trailing legs when stepping over the obstacle.