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Effects of Mobile Phone Use on Gait and Balance Control in Young Adults: A Hip–Ankle Strategy

Authors :
Sun, Zijun Lu
Xinxin Zhang
Chuangui Mao
Tao Liu
Xinglu Li
Wenfei Zhu
Chao Wang
Yuliang
Source :
Bioengineering; Volume 10; Issue 6; Pages: 665
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2023.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to derive the effects of walking while using a mobile phone on balance perturbation and joint movement among young adults. Methods: Sixteen healthy college students with no history of brain injury were tested. The participants were asked to walk under four different conditions: (1) walking, (2) browsing, (3) dialing, and (4) texting. Indicators related to balance control and lower limb kinematic/kinetic parameters were analyzed using the continuous relative phase and statistical nonparametric mapping methods. Results: Walking while using a mobile phone slowed participants’ gait speed and reduced the cadence, stride length, and step length. The posterior tilt angle (0–14%, 57–99%), torque of the hip flexion (0–15%, 30–35%, 75–100%), and angle of the hip flexion (0–28%, 44–100%) decreased significantly. The activation of biceps femoris and gastrocnemius, hip stiffness, and ankle stiffness increased significantly. This impact on gait significantly differed among three dual tasks: texting > browsing > dialing. Conclusion: Che overlap of walking and mobile phone use affects the gait significantly. The “hip–ankle strategy” may result in a “smooth” but slower gait, while this strategy was deliberate and tense. In addition, this adjustment also increases the stiffness of the hip and ankle, increasing the risk of fatigue. Findings regarding this effect may prove that even for young healthy adults, walking with mobile phone use induces measurable adjustment of the motor pattern. These results suggest the importance of simplifying the control of the movement.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23065354
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Bioengineering; Volume 10; Issue 6; Pages: 665
Accession number :
edsair.multidiscipl..7175b8c82a20c825767a3436a7920ee8
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10060665