Background

Increased body weight is associated with an increased magnitude of foot pressures. Although body mass index (BMI) has been widely used in the assessment of obesity, BMI does not differentiate between muscle and adipose tissue, which may play an important role in characterizing walking patterns. The purpose of the study was to compare gait biomechanics between obese and weight-matched control group.

Methods

Sixty male adults were assigned to a normal and obese group based on body fat percentage. Body compositions and BMI were measured by the bioelectrical impedance method. Plantar pressure and gait parameters were recorded with a force-distribution-measure treadmill system during walking at the preferred speed. Physical fitness assessment was also conducted to assess muscular strength, muscular endurance, maximum oxygen uptake, flexibility, and agility.

Findings

Normal group displayed greater muscle strength, flexibility, and maximum oxygen uptake compared to the obese group. Foot-pressure measures indicated significantly greater peak pressure values for the front and rear of the foot in the normal group. Greater muscle strength was correlated with higher BMI and lower body fat percentage. A significant negative correlation between body fat percent and gait variables was also exhibited.

Interpretation

The results demonstrated different force application patterns during walking between the obese and weight-matched control group, indicating a potential influence of body fat percent on foot pressure characteristics in walking. Therefore, a comprehensive classification of obesity, including body fat percent, should be administered for the prescription of safe physical activity.

中文翻译：

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体重匹配的男性成年人与体脂相关的步态参数和体能水平的差异

背景

体重增加与脚压力的增加有关。尽管体重指数（BMI）已被广泛用于肥胖评估，但BMI不能区分肌肉和脂肪组织，而这可能在表征步行模式方面起着重要作用。该研究的目的是比较肥胖和体重匹配对照组的步态生物力学。

方法

根据体脂百分比，将60名男性成年人分为正常和肥胖组。通过生物电阻抗法测量身体成分和BMI。在以最佳速度行走时，用力分布测量跑步机系统记录足底压力和步态参数。还进行了身体健康评估，以评估肌肉力量，肌肉耐力，最大摄氧量，柔韧性和敏捷性。

发现

与肥胖组相比，正常组显示出更大的肌肉力量，柔韧性和最大摄氧量。足部压力测量表明正常组中足部前后脚的峰值压力值明显更高。较高的肌肉力量与较高的BMI和较低的体内脂肪百分比相关。人体脂肪百分比和步态变量之间也显示出显着的负相关性。

解释

结果表明，肥胖和体重匹配的对照组之间在步行过程中施加的力模式不同，这表明体脂百分比对步行中脚部压力特征有潜在的影响。因此，应该对肥胖进行全面分类，包括身体脂肪百分比，以开出安全的体育活动处方。