Biomechanical Analysis of Gait in Forestry Environments: Implications for Movement Stability and Safety

Forestry is recognized as one of the most physically demanding professions. Walking in presents unique biomechanical challenges due to complex, irregular terrain, with several possible risks. This study investigated how human gait adapts across solid surfaces, forest trails, and natural forest environments. Fifteen healthy adult participants (average age 38.3; ten males and five females) completed 150 walking trials, with full-body motion captured via a 17 Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) sensors (Xsens MVN Awinda system). The analysis focused on spatial and temporal gait parameters, including cadence, step length, foot strike pattern, and center of mass variability. Statistical methods (ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis) revealed that surface type significantly influenced gait mechanics. On forest terrain, participants exhibited wider steps, reduced cadence, increased step and stride variability, and a substantial shift from heel-to-toe strikes. Gait adaptations reflect compensatory neuromuscular strategies to maintain body balance. The findings confirm that forestry terrain complexity compromises human gait stability and increases physical demands, supporting step variability and slip, trip, and fall risk. By identifying key biomechanical markers of instability, this study contributes to understanding human locomotion principles. Understanding these changes can help design safety measures for outdoor professions, particularly forestry.