ABSTRACT
Objective:To observe the gait characteristics related to the horizontal obstacle crossing, to optimize obstacle crossing strategy to reduce the risk of falling. Methods:A total of 15 healthy young men were recruited in September, 2019, to complete horizontal obstacle crossing tasks (0 cm, 45 cm, 55 cm and 65 cm wide), with dominant and non-dominant limbs first on a specific experimental path. Gait parameters were collected with infrared camera and biomechanics force plate. Results:As the width of the obstacle increasing, the speed, stride length, step length and toe clearance of trailing limb (TCt) increased; while the heel-to-obstacle distance (HOD) and toe-to-obstacle distance (TOD) decreased. As the non-dominant limb crossing first, the speed of following step was slower, and the TCt, step width, step length and HOD increased. Conclusion:The risk of falling increases with the width of the obstacle during horizontal obstacle crossing. It is recommended to use non-dominant limbs leading crossing, and increase stride length, step length and TCt to reduce the risk of falling.