Gait asymmetry characteristics: relationship between lateral deviation of the thorax in the standing position and asymmetry indices during gait.
Ayumi Mohara, Yuuki Homma, Naruyoshi Komuro and 3 others
PMID 40895762WHAT IT FOUND
Most healthy men stood with their chest shifted left relative to their pelvis.
This resting asymmetry correlated with greater leftward body sway during walking. A simple standing check may flag gait asymmetry, but the study included only young men and did not test interventions.
Key findings
0184% of participants had leftward deviation of the thorax relative to the pelvis in standing.
02In the group with left thoracic deviation, greater standing asymmetry correlated with greater left-right asymmetry in lateral movement of the center of mass and trunk during gait.
03Vertical ground reaction force was significantly higher on the left side than the right during standing.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only 25 healthy young men, so findings may not apply to women, older adults, or people with gait pathologies. Only 4 participants had rightward thoracic deviation, preventing analysis of this group. Pelvic inclination and leg length differences were not accounted for in the posture calculations. The study observed natural asymmetry; it did not test whether correcting standing posture improves gait asymmetry or outcomes. Limb dominance was not assessed, though it may influence gait asymmetry.
Declared interests
None declared. No specific grant funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that correcting standing thoracic deviation will automatically improve gait asymmetry or reduce injury risk. This study only describes a correlation in healthy young men and did not test any intervention.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →