Biomechanics of rising from a chair and walking in pregnant women

The present study aimed to assess the changes in the pattern of rising from a chair and walking forward as pregnancy progressed. Twelve pregnant women and 10 nulliparous women were included in this study. Participants were videotaped with a digital video camera in the sagittal plane, and the coordinates of the markers attached to the subjects were identified using image analysis software. The peak trunk-flexion angle in pregnant women during rising was smaller, but the hip-extension angle during the stance phase was larger than in controls. Also, the peak horizontal and vertical velocities of the center of mass were lower, and appeared earlier, in pregnant women than in controls. During rising, pregnant women dampened the propulsion attributable to increased uterus volume, and they enhanced the forward propulsion at gait initiation. To ensure safe motion, pregnant women should not initiate gait until reaching a stable standing position after rising.

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► We assessed the pattern of rising from a chair and walking forward in pregnant women.
► Trunk-flexion at rise up and hip-flexion of swing leg at gait initiation were small.
► Hip-extension of stance leg was large in order to enhance propulsion forward.
► An uncertain toe clearance at gait initiation leads to an increased risk of falls.
► Pregnant women should initiate gait after reaching a stable standing position following rising up.