Volume 12, Issue 3 (11-2026)                   J Sport Biomech 2026, 12(3): 570-604 | Back to browse issues page


XML Persian Abstract Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Abbasi S, Farahpour N, Heidari B, Moisan G, Allard P. Pivoting Gait Reveals Side-Specific Deficits in Horizontal Forces in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis with Lumbar Curvatures: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Sport Biomech 2026; 12 (3) :570-604
URL: http://biomechanics.iauh.ac.ir/article-1-511-en.html
1- Department of Sport Biomechanics, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
2- Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran.
3- Department of Human Kinetics, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada.
4- Kinesiology Department, Montreal University, Québec, Canada.
Abstract:   (28 Views)
Objective This study investigated spatiotemporal parameters and ground reaction force (GRF) components during straight and pivoting gait in adolescents with lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), with particular emphasis on differences between left and right lumbar curvatures.
Methods In this cross-sectional study, 16 healthy individuals served as the control group (CG), while 14 patients with lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) formed the main scoliosis group (MSG), which was further divided into left lumbar (LL) and right lumbar (RL) subgroups. Spatiotemporal parameters and GRF components were analyzed during straight and pivoting gait for the leading, pivoting, and trailing feet.
Results No significant differences in spatiotemporal parameters were observed during straight gait. However, during pivoting gait, the right lumbar (RL) subgroup exhibited a longer stance time and altered horizontal ground reaction force (GRF) components. In addition, the RL subgroup showed a greater GRFX1 impulse in the left leading foot than both the control group and the left lumbar (LL) subgroup. No comparable changes were observed in the LL subgroup.
Conclusion Right lumbar scoliosis was associated with altered horizontal GRF components during pivoting gait, whereas left lumbar scoliosis showed no comparable changes. These findings suggest that lumbar curvature direction influences neuromusculoskeletal behavior during pivoting and should be considered when developing subgroup-specific rehabilitation strategies.
Full-Text [PDF 3273 kb]   (5 Downloads) |   |   Full-Text (HTML)  (7 Views)  
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2026/04/27 | Accepted: 2026/07/31 | Published: 2026/08/2

References
1. Weinstein SL, Dolan LA, Cheng JC, Danielsson A, Morcuende JA. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The Lancet. 2008;371(9623):1527-37. [DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60658-3]
2. Ji R, Liu X, Liu Y, Yan B, Yang J, Lee WY, et al. Kinematic differences and asymmetries during level walking in adolescent patients with different types of mild scoliosis. BioMedical Engineering OnLine. 2024;23(1):22. [DOI:10.1186/s12938-024-01211-5]
3. Kubat O, Ovadia D. Frontal and sagittal imbalance in patients with adolescent idiopathic deformity. Annals of Translational Medicine. 2020;8(2):29. [DOI:10.21037/atm.2019.10.49]
4. Justice CM, Miller NH, Marosy B, Zhang J, Wilson AF. Familial idiopathic scoliosis: evidence of an X-linked susceptibility locus. Spine. 2003;28(6):589-94. [DOI:10.1097/00007632-200303150-00014]
5. Nowak R, Kwiecien M, Tkacz M, Mazurek U. Transforming growth factor-beta signaling in paravertebral muscles in juvenile and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. BioMed Research International. 2014;2014:594287. [DOI:10.1155/2014/594287]
6. Peng Y, Wang SR, Qiu GX, Zhang JG, Zhuang QY. Research progress on the etiology and pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Chinese Medical Journal. 2020;133(4):483-93. [DOI:10.1097/CM9.0000000000000652]
7. Wang Y, Pessin JE. Mechanisms for fiber-type specificity of skeletal muscle atrophy. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. 2013;16(3):243-50. [DOI:10.1097/MCO.0b013e328360272d]
8. Wong LP, Cheung PWH, Cheung JPY. Curve type, flexibility, correction, and rotation are predictors of curve progression in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing conservative treatment: a systematic review. The Bone & Joint Journal. 2022;104-B(4):424-32. [DOI:10.1302/0301-620X.104B4.BJJ-2021-1677.R1]
9. Nam Y, Patel U, Chang DG, Lee YB, Lim J, Yang JH, et al. Curve progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with Cobb angles between 40 and 50 degrees at the late stage of skeletal growth: a minimum 5-year follow-up study. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025;14(15):5272. [DOI:10.3390/jcm14155272]
10. Lara T, Astur N, Jones TL, Perake V, Moisan A, Warner WC Jr, et al. The risk of curve progression and surgery in African Americans with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Spine Deformity. 2017;5(4):250-4. [DOI:10.1016/j.jspd.2017.01.013]
11. Xu J, Chen M, Wang X, Luo X. Biomechanical changes in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis during walking: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine. 2023;102(49). [DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000036528]
12. Allard P, Chavet P, Barbier F, Gatto L, Labelle H, Sadeghi H. Effect of body morphology on standing balance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 2004;83(9):689-97. [DOI:10.1097/01.PHM.0000137344.95784.15]
13. Dalleau G, Allard MS, Beaulieu M, Rivard CH, Allard P. Free moment contribution to quiet standing in able-bodied and scoliotic girls. European Spine Journal. 2007;16(10):1593-9. [DOI:10.1007/s00586-007-0404-0]
14. Sahlstrand T, Örtengren R, Nachemson A. Postural equilibrium in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica. 1978;49(4):354-65. [DOI:10.3109/17453677809050088]
15. Yang JH, Suh SW, Sung PS, Park WH. Asymmetrical gait in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. European Spine Journal. 2013;22(11):2407-13. [DOI:10.1007/s00586-013-2845-y]
16. Hamill J, Knutzen KM. Biomechanical basis of human movement. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006.
17. Park YS, Lim YT, Koh K, Kim JM, Kwon HJ, Yang JS, et al. Association of spinal deformity and pelvic tilt with gait asymmetry in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients: investigation of ground reaction force. Clinical Biomechanics. 2016;36:52-7. [DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2016.05.005]
18. Liew B, Morris S, Netto K. The effect of backpack carriage on the biomechanics of walking: a systematic review and preliminary meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 2016;32(6):614-29. [DOI:10.1123/jab.2015-0339]
19. Fukuchi CA, Fukuchi RK, Duarte M. Effects of walking speed on gait biomechanics in healthy participants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews. 2019;8(1):153. [DOI:10.1186/s13643-019-1063-z]
20. Carter S, Saghafi A. An exploration of the effects of gait speed and joint movements on minimum toe clearance across the lifespan: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 2025;41(4):323-32. [DOI:10.1123/jab.2024-0288]
21. Hosseini Y. Comparison of symmetrical and asymmetrical bag-carrying on the vertical ground reaction force during walking in healthy adults. Journal of Sport Biomechanics. 2026;12(2):358-71. [DOI:10.66224/JSportBiomech.12.2.358]
22. Herssens N, Verbecque E, Hallemans A, Vereeck L, Van Rompaey V, Saeys W. Do spatiotemporal parameters and gait variability differ across the lifespan of healthy adults? A systematic review. Gait & Posture. 2018;64:181-90. [DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.06.012]
23. Chung MJ, Wang MJJ. The change of gait parameters during walking at different percentages of preferred walking speed for healthy adults aged 20-60 years. Gait & Posture. 2010;31(1):131-5. [DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.09.013]
24. Najafian Razavi M. The comparison of gait kinematics in overweight and normal-weight people across age groups. Journal of Sport Biomechanics. 2022;8(3):214-30. [DOI:10.61186/JSportBiomech.8.3.214]
25. Aghamohammadi F, Jalalvand A. The effect of different walking strategies (normal, toe-out, and toe-in) on maximum force and plantar pressure in ten regions of the foot. Journal of Sport Biomechanics. 2025;10(4):262-75. [DOI:10.61186/JSportBiomech.10.4.262]
26. Pollard CD, Heiderscheit BC, Van Emmerik REA, Hamill J. Gender differences in lower extremity coupling variability during an unanticipated cutting maneuver. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 2005;21(2):143-52. [DOI:10.1123/jab.21.2.143]
27. Holmes HH, Fawcett RT, Roper JA. Changes in spatiotemporal measures and variability during user-driven treadmill, fixed-speed treadmill, and overground walking in young adults: a pilot study. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 2021;37(3):277-81. [DOI:10.1123/jab.2020-0109]
28. Fawver B, Beatty GF, Naugle KM, Hass CJ, Janelle CM. Emotional state impacts center of pressure displacement before forward gait initiation. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 2015;31(1):35-40. [DOI:10.1123/JAB.2013-0306]
29. Wu KW, Wang TM, Hu CC, Hong SW, Lee PA, Lu TW. Postural adjustments in adolescent idiopathic thoracic scoliosis during walking. Gait & Posture. 2019;68:423-9. [DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.12.024]
30. Mallau S, Bollini G, Jouve JL, Assaiante C. Locomotor skills and balance strategies in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Spine. 2007;32(1). [DOI:10.1097/01.brs.0000251069.58498.eb]
31. Chen PQ, Wang JL, Tsuang YH, Liao TL, Huang PI, Hang YS. The postural stability control and gait pattern of idiopathic scoliosis adolescents. Clinical Biomechanics. 1998;13(1 Suppl 1). [DOI:10.1016/S0268-0033(97)00075-2]
32. Lenke LG, Betz RR, Haher TR, Lapp MA, Merola AA, Harms J, et al. Multisurgeon assessment of surgical decision-making in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: curve classification, operative approach, and fusion levels. Spine. 2001;26(21):2347-53. [DOI:10.1097/00007632-200111010-00011]
33. Haber CK, Sacco M. Scoliosis: lower limb asymmetries during the gait cycle. Archives of Physiotherapy. 2015;5(1):4. [DOI:10.1186/s40945-015-0001-1]
34. Haddas R, Ju KL, Belanger T, Lieberman IH. The use of gait analysis in the assessment of patients afflicted with spinal disorders. European Spine Journal. 2018;27(8):1712-23. [DOI:10.1007/s00586-018-5569-1]
35. Mahaudens P, Banse X, Mousny M, Detrembleur C. Gait in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: kinematics and electromyographic analysis. European Spine Journal. 2009;18(4):512-21. [DOI:10.1007/s00586-009-0899-7]
36. Kim DS, Park SH, Goh TS, Son SM, Lee JS. A meta-analysis of gait in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 2020;81:196-200. [DOI:10.1016/j.jocn.2020.09.035]
37. Giakas G, Baltzopoulos V, Dangerfield PH, Dorgan JC, Dalmira S. Comparison of gait patterns between healthy and scoliotic patients using time- and frequency-domain analysis of ground reaction forces. Spine. 1996;21(19):2235-42. [DOI:10.1097/00007632-199610010-00011]
38. Syczewska M, Graff K, Kalinowska M, Szczerbik E, Domaniecki J. Does the gait pathology in scoliotic patients depend on the severity of spine deformity? Preliminary results. Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics. 2010;12(1):25-8.
39. Tekin S, Yagci G, Topuz S, Demirkiran G. Comparison of gait and sagittal-plane arm swing between individuals with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and healthy individuals. Acta Orthopaedica Belgica. 2023;89(4):727-34. [DOI:10.52628/89.4.11444]
40. Dixon PC, Stebbins J, Theologis T, Zavatsky AB. Spatiotemporal parameters and lower-limb kinematics of turning gait in typically developing children. Gait & Posture. 2013;38(4):870-5. [DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.04.010]
41. Dixon PC, Stebbins J, Theologis T, Zavatsky AB. Ground reaction forces and lower-limb joint kinetics of turning gait in typically developing children. Journal of Biomechanics. 2014;47(15):3726-33. [DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.09.011]
42. Wu KW, Lu TW, Lee WC, Ho YT, Huang TC, Wang JH, et al. Altered balance control in thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis during obstructed gait. PLoS One. 2020;15(2). [DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0228752]
43. Gum JL, Asher MA, Burton DC, Lai SM, Lambart LM. Transverse-plane pelvic rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: primary or compensatory? European Spine Journal. 2007;16(10):1579-86. [DOI:10.1007/s00586-007-0400-4]
44. Abbasi S, Farahpour N, Heidari B, Moisan G, Allard P. Center of foot pressure and free moment changes during gait in adolescents with right and left scoliosis. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2025;14(4):636-51. [DOI:10.32598/SJRM.14.4.3359]
45. Nash CL Jr, Moe JH. A study of vertebral rotation. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume. 1969;51(2):223-9. [DOI:10.2106/00004623-196951020-00002]
46. Wen JX, Yang HH, Han SM, Cao L, Wu HZ, Yang C, et al. Trunk balance, head posture and plantar pressure in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2022;10:979816. [DOI:10.3389/fped.2022.979816]
47. Xi F, Xue X, Ji E, Zhang Q, Zhao S, Li K, et al. Relationship between leg length discrepancy and functional scoliosis in children and adolescents. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025;26(1):428. [DOI:10.1186/s12891-025-08693-x]
48. Dufvenberg M, Adeyemi F, Rajendran I, Öberg B, Abbott A. Does postural stability differ between adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and typically developed? A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders. 2018;13(1):19. [DOI:10.1186/s13013-018-0163-1]
49. Raabe ME, Chaudhari AMW. An investigation of jogging biomechanics using the full-body lumbar spine model: model development and validation. Journal of Biomechanics. 2016;49(7):1238-43. [DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.02.046]
50. Robertson DGE, Caldwell GE, Hamill J, Kamen G, Whittlesey SN. Research methods in biomechanics. 2nd ed. Champaign: Human Kinetics; 2013. [DOI:10.5040/9781492595809]
51. Collins JJ, Whittle MW. Influence of gait parameters on the loading of the lower limb. Journal of Biomedical Engineering. 1989;11(5):409-12. [DOI:10.1016/0141-5425(89)90105-2]
52. Normelli H, Sevastik J, Ljung G, Aaro S, Jönsson-Söderström AM. Anthropometric data relating to normal and scoliotic Scandinavian girls. Spine. 1985;10(2):123-6. [DOI:10.1097/00007632-198503000-00002]
53. Shohat M, Shohat T, Nitzan M, Mimouni M, Kedem R, Danon YL. Growth and ethnicity in scoliosis. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica. 1988;59(3):310-3. [DOI:10.3109/17453678809149370]
54. Zhu F, Hong Q, Guo X, Wang D, Chen J, Zhu Q, et al. A comparison of foot posture and walking performance in patients with mild, moderate, and severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. PLoS One. 2021;16(5). [DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0251592]
55. Garg B, Gupta M, Mehta N, Malhotra R. Influence of etiology and onset of deformity on spatiotemporal, kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic gait variables in patients with scoliosis: a prospective comparative study. Spine. 2021;46(6):374-82. [DOI:10.1097/BRS.0000000000003796]
56. Burwell RG, Dangerfield PH, Moulton A, Anderson SI. Etiologic theories of idiopathic scoliosis: autonomic nervous system and the leptin-sympathetic nervous system concept for the pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics. 2008;140:197-207. [DOI:10.3233/978-1-58603-888-5-197]
57. Grivas TB, Burwell RG, Mihas C, Vasiliadis ES, Triantafyllopoulos G, Kaspiris A. Relatively lower body mass index is associated with an excess of severe truncal asymmetry in healthy adolescents: do white adipose tissue, leptin, hypothalamus and sympathetic nervous system influence truncal growth asymmetry? Scoliosis. 2009;4(1):13. [DOI:10.1186/1748-7161-4-13]
58. Hershkovich O, Friedlander A, Gordon B, Arzi H, Derazne E, Tzur D, et al. Association between body mass index, body height, and the prevalence of spinal deformities. The Spine Journal. 2014;14(8):1581-7. [DOI:10.1016/j.spinee.2013.09.034]
59. Mahaudens P, Thonnard JL, Detrembleur C. Influence of structural pelvic disorders during standing and walking in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. The Spine Journal. 2005;5(4):427-33. [DOI:10.1016/j.spinee.2004.11.014]
60. Walker AP, Dickson RA. School screening and pelvic tilt scoliosis. The Lancet. 1984;2(8395):152-4. [DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(84)91059-6]
61. Yazdani S, Farahpour N, Habibi M, Saba MS. Spatiotemporal variables of gait in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and healthy individuals. Journal of Sport Biomechanics. 2016;2(3):5-14.
62. Lao ML, Chow DHK, Guo X, Cheng JCY, Holmes AD. Impaired dynamic balance control in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and abnormal somatosensory evoked potentials. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. 2008;28(8):846-9. [DOI:10.1097/BPO.0b013e31818e1bc9]
63. Kim SH, Kim HJ. Changes in gait parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Journal of the Korean Physical Therapy. 2014;26(3):136-9.
64. Alazzawi A, Kaya MH, Büyükturan B, Büyükturan Ö. Comparison of walking parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and healthy adolescents. Turkish Journal of Health and Sport. 2023;4(1):27-31. [DOI:10.29228/tjhealthsport.67934]
65. Syczewska M, Graff K, Kalinowska M, Szczerbik E, Domaniecki J. Influence of the structural deformity of the spine on the gait pathology in scoliotic patients. Gait & Posture. 2012;35(2):209-13. [DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.09.008]
66. Oatis CA. Kinesiology: the mechanics and pathomechanics of human movement. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009.
67. Sung PS, Park MS. Compensatory ground reaction forces during scoliotic gait in subjects with and without right adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Symmetry. 2021;13(12):2372. [DOI:10.3390/sym13122372]
68. Yazdani S, Farahpour N. Kinetic gait analysis in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and normal control subjects. Journal of Paramedical Sciences and Rehabilitation. 2017;6(2):48-59.
69. Bruyneel AV, Chavet P, Bollini G, Allard P, Berton E, Mesure S. Lateral steps reveal adaptive biomechanical strategies in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Annales de Réadaptation et de Médecine Physique. 2008;51(8):630-41. [DOI:10.1016/j.annrmp.2008.05.004]
70. Bruyneel AV, Chavet P, Bollini G, Allard P, Berton E, Mesure S. Dynamical asymmetries in idiopathic scoliosis during forward and lateral initiation steps. European Spine Journal. 2009;18(2):188-95. [DOI:10.1007/s00586-008-0864-x]
71. Bruyneel AV, Chavet P, Bollini G, Mesure S. Gait initiation reflects the adaptive biomechanical strategies of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 2010;53(6-7):372-86. [DOI:10.1016/j.rehab.2010.06.005]
72. Hase K, Stein RB. Analysis of rapid stopping during human walking. Journal of Neurophysiology. 1998;80(1):255-61. [DOI:10.1152/jn.1998.80.1.255]
73. Hase K, Stein RB. Turning strategies during human walking. Journal of Neurophysiology. 1999;81(6):2914-22. [DOI:10.1152/jn.1999.81.6.2914]

Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

© 2026 CC BY 4.0 | Journal of Sport Biomechanics

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb