Evaluating Dynamic Stability, Spatiotemporal, and Kinematic Gait Parameters in Day- and Night-Shift Nurses

Background: Despite the importance of investigating the effect of night shifts on the gait kinematics of nurses, the literature lacks sufficient evidence to evaluate this relationship. Therefore, the present study aimed to compare gait kinematics between day and night shift nurses.Methods: Participants (N = 31) in this cross-sectional study were female nurses aged 27–47 years, working either night shifts (N = 16) or day shifts (N = 15). A Qualisys motion analysis system with eight high-speed cameras was used to record body segment movements during walking. The spatiotemporal gait characteristics (stride length, walking velocity, and cadence) and kinematics of the ankle, knee, hip, pelvis, and trunk were analyzed. Dynamic stability during walking was assessed by measuring center of mass (COM) movements.Results: No significant differences were found between the mean values of spatiotemporal gait parameters of nurses working day and night shifts. Similarly, the mean range of motion (ROM) values of lower extremity joints and pelvic and trunk segments during the stance phase of gait did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, as a measure of dynamic stability, COM movement in the mediolateral direction was significantly different between the groups.Conclusion: There were no differences in spatiotemporal gait parameters, vertical dynamic stability, or joint ROM between nurses working day and night shifts. These findings suggest that working night shifts does not alter the biomechanical gait patterns of nurses.