Kinematics or Kinetics: Optimum Measurement of the Vertical Variations of the Center of Mass during Gait Initiation.

Background: During gait, the braking index represents postural control, and consequently, the risk of falls. Previous studies based their determination of the braking index during the first step on kinetic methods using force platforms, which are highly variable. This study aimed to investigate whether determining the braking index with a kinematic method, through 3D motion capture, provides more precise results.