Locomotor adaptations for changes in the slope of the walking surface.

The goal of this study was to examine the transition of walking from a level surface onto different inclined surfaces. Kinematic data of limb and trunk segments were recorded from individuals as they approached and stepped onto four different ramped surfaces (slopes= 3 degrees , 6 degrees , 9 degrees , 12 degrees ). This transition introduced significant adaptations to the swing limb trajectory that were evident in even the lowest ramp condition and appear to be scaled to the ramp inclination although the nature of this scaling seemed to change between the 6 degrees and 9 degrees conditions.