Effects of Smartphone Texting While Walking on Ankle Joint Kinematics in Healthy University Students in Their 20s

Purpose This study aimed to compare ankle joint kinematics and walking time between walking with and without smartphone texting in healthy university students in their 20s. Methods Thirty healthy university students in their 20s (18 men and 12 women) participated in this study. Each participant completed a 10m walking task under two conditions: normal walking (control condition) and walking while texting on a smartphone (smartphonetexting condition). Ankle joint angles were recorded using an electronic goniometer to determine ankle joint range of motion (ROM), peak dorsiflexion angle, and peak plantarflexion angle. The time required to complete the 10m walking task was also measured. Results Walking while texting significantly altered ankle kinematics compared to normal walking. The smartphoneuse condition showed a significant reduction in the ankle ROM, peak dorsiflexion, and peak plantarflexion (p<0.05). Additionally, the total walking duration was significantly prolonged during the smartphone task (p<0.05). Conclusion Walking while texting on a smartphone reduced ankle joint ROM, peak dorsiflexion angle, and peak plantarflexion angle and increased 10m walking time in healthy university students in their 20s. These findings suggest that smartphone texting during walking may alter ankle joint kinematics and slow walking in this population.