Abstract
Purpose: This study investigated the immediate after-effects of clothing shape on tandem gait performance.
Methods: Nineteen healthy men (21.8 ± 1.8 years) performed tandem gait tests while blindfolded under three clothing conditions: only half or short tights, a cotton cloth wrapped around the waist and draped to the middle point of the lower leg (DC), and tracksuit bottoms (TS). Participants performed pre- and post-gait tests at their fastest possible speed while wearing tights. Between the pre- and post-tests, participants practiced the same tandem gait, but at their own chosen speed while wearing DC or TS.
Results: The practice with the DC increased gait speed and decreased lateral shift during the post-gait test compared to the pre-gait test. The practice while wearing the TS also reduced lateral shift but did not increase gait speed.
Conclusions: These results suggest that some clothing shapes are more effective for motor learning of balance control during tandem gait by enhancing the feedback for body orientation. Clothing that has a certain amount of space between the material and the body and that makes contact with the body as it moves may be more effective.