Kinematic Analysis of Gait in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy

The kinematic analysis of gait during pregnancy provides more information about the anatomical changes and contributes to exercise and rehabilitation prescription. The purposes were to quantify the lower limb kinematics of gait and to compare it between the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and with a control group. A three-dimensional analysis was performed in twenty-two pregnant women and twelve nonpregnant. Repeated Measures and Manova tests were performed for comparisons between trimesters and between pregnant and controls. The walking speed, stride width, right-/left-step time, cycle time and time of support, and flight phases remain unchanged between trimesters and between pregnant and controls. Stride and right-/left-step lengths decreased between trimesters. Double limb support time increased between trimesters, and it increased when compared with controls. Joint kinematics showed a significant decrease of right-hip extension and adduction during stance phase between trimesters and when compared with controls. Also, an increase in left-knee flexion and a decrease in right-ankle plantarflexion were found between trimesters. The results suggested that pregnant women need to maintain greater stability of body and to become more efficient in locomotion. Further data from the beginning of pregnancy anthropometric data may contribute to the analysis. 1. Introduction The third trimester of pregnancy is characterized by a rapid growth in size and weight of the fetus, so that an additional 50% increase in fetal weight is observed in this trimester [1]. This in turn causes an increase in abdominal weight and volume in pregnant woman, which is associated to an increase in the weight of growing breasts and an increase in lumbar lordosis, resulting in a superior and posterior shifts of the woman’s center of gravity [2]. These changes, occurring in the body of the pregnant woman, lead to many complains of discomfort and pain in lower limbs. Few studies describe the kinematic motion on the lower limb of the pregnant women, particularly in a longitudinal perspective. In previous studies, Foti et al. [3] performed a three-dimensional (3D) analysis of gait during the second half of the last trimester of pregnancy and one year postpartum on 15 women. They reported that overall gait kinematics were unchanged during pregnancy. However, significant increases in hip and ankle kinetics were found. Their findings indicate that during pregnancy there may be an increased demand placed on hip abductor, hip extensor, and ankle plantar flexor muscles during walking.