Locomotion

Locomotion, also known as mobility, is the ability to move and walk around in the environment. Activities such as walking, getting in and out of vehicles, moving on and off furniture and maintaining balance are affected by loss of locomotion ability.

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In order to move around, we require adequate muscle strength, motor control and balance. Locomotion includes the ability to sit down and stand up, to get up and down from the floor, and to move around in an environment by walking and ascending or descending steps.

Muscle strength gradually deteriorates with age, while degenerative conditions such as arthritis and Parkinson’s disease further limit joint mobility and muscle control. The arms are also more likely to be employed to compensate for impairment of strength and balance.

The reduction in visual ability with age also causes problems with moving around an environment. Coupled with reduced muscular strength, it can be difficult for older and disabled people to move around with speed and agility.

Temporary loss of locomotion ability can also occur due to sprained ankles, knee problems, or falls. A sudden loss of locomotion ability may be caused by lower limb amputation, immobilisation, or a stroke. While intense training and assistive devices can help to gradually improve locomotion ability, a return to full function is unlikely.

Gait refers to the manner of walking and it has unique aspects apparent in each person. It is cyclic involving repeated movements of the lower and upper limbs, and also of the trunk.

Normal gait is rhythmic and characterised by alternating forward and backward motion, and weight transfer between the lower limbs. The characteristics of the gait cycle are directly affected by the speed of movement, the evenness of the ground, body weight, body symmetry, and age and health status.

During normal walking, up to 85% of the person’s weight may need to be supported by one lower limb. Each leg supports weight for approximately 64% of the cycle, and swings free for the remaining 36%. Running is characterized by periods when both feet are off the ground, and therefore requires greater strength, joint mobility and balance.

As strength, mobility or balance decrease people tend to take shorter steps and reduce the time for which only one leg supports weight. Walking aids allow the arms to help with balance and weight support. This improves walking speed and stamina for those with limited strength and mobility while a wheelchair can assist those whose capability is further impaired.

For more information on walking, see Rose and Gamble (1994)

Rose J and Gamble JG (1994) Human Walking. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore USA.

Climbing stairs is cyclic in a similar manner to walking, but requires increased strength, mobility and balance. It is therefore more likely that the person will need to use their arms to help assist. Climbing steps is impossible for those in wheelchairs, and can be particularly challenging for many others because walking aids such as sticks and trolleys are no longer effective.

Actions such as bending down to the floor or squatting, sitting down, standing up, or getting into and out of confined spaces can also be very difficult for people with low locomotion ability.

Reducing the muscle strength and flexibility required to use a product or to move around in an environment helps to include those with reduced locomotion capability. This can be achieved through careful use of dimensions and shapes and making extra allowance for the hands to help move the body around.

The provision of a suitable environment can dramatically affect those with reduced locomotion capability, who often use various aids such as walking sticks, crutches, frames and trolleys, wheelchairs and scooters in order to increase their mobility.

Product and environmental design should factor the use of these aids into design solutions. Eliminating steps and space constrictions to help wheelchair users results in designs that benefit others, such as people with push-chairs, bicycles, or suitcases on wheels.

Balance aids are essential in transportation situations such as buses and trains, but can also reduce design exclusion and increase user satisfaction in any situation involving standing for long periods, such as queuing.

Environments should provide adequate capability for people to rest while getting from one place to another. Regular seating intervals can also be useful for those carrying heavy bags, or who want to rest or tie-up their shoelaces.

• Consider the use of locomotion aids such as walkers, wheelchairs and scooters when setting the dimensions of doorways and passages
• Provide adequate seating at regular intervals in public spaces such as parks, airports and shopping centres
• Provide handles or surfaces so that the arms can be used to assist transferring the body between different positions (such as sitting and standing)
• Reduce the need to bend the back or reach below waist level
• Assist balance by ensuring that something is available to hold on to, especially for any situation involving steps, or standing for a long period
• Be wary of the exclusion that results from requiring the user to ascend even one step
• Ensure that devices to assist locomotion are integrated with the overall design aesthetic

Locomotion ability level (in increasing order)

Ability level is measured with any desired walking aids, but without anyone else's assistance. Ability to bend down is measured with something available to hold on to.

No demand

• The user is not required to walk or use steps, or to balance on own for any period, or to perform any bending tasks

Low demand: The user is required to have sufficient ability to do things like:

• Walk 50 metres (≈ 50 yds) without stopping
• Ascend/descend a flight of 12 steps on own, using a handrail and resting; balance for short periods without holding on to something
• Bend down far enough to touch knees, and then straighten up again

Moderate demand: The user is required to have sufficient ability to do things like:

• Walk 175 metres (≈ 200 yds) without stopping
• Ascend / descend a flight of 12 stairs on own, without rests (but using a handrail); or balance for long periods without holding on to something
• Bend down to pick something up from the floor, and then straighten up again

High demand: The user is required to have sufficient ability to do things like:

• Walk 350 metres (≈ 400 yds) without stopping
• Ascend / descend a flight of 12 steps on own, without handrails and without resting
• Bend down to use a dustpan and brush, and then straighten up again

Walking demands assume that any desired walking aids will be used, but no-one else is assisting. Bending demands assume that something is available to hold on to.