Effects of walking speed on the step-by-step control of step width

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 78-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy H. Stimpson ◽  
Lauren N. Heitkamp ◽  
Joscelyn S. Horne ◽  
Jesse C. Dean
Keyword(s):  
Walking Speed ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Step Control

scholarly journals Stabilization Strategies for Fast Walking in Challenging Environments With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Cornwell ◽  
Jane Woodward ◽  
Wendy Ochs ◽  
Keith E. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Lateral Stability ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Foot Placement ◽  
Fast Speed ◽  
Cord Injury

Gait rehabilitation following incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) often aims to enhance speed and stability. Concurrently increasing both may be difficult though as certain stabilization strategies will be compromised at faster speeds. To evaluate the interaction between speed and lateral stability, we examined individuals with (n = 12) and without (n = 12) iSCI as they performed straight walking and lateral maneuvers at Preferred and Fast treadmill speeds. To better detect the effects of speed on stability, we challenged lateral stability with a movement amplification force field. The Amplification field, created by a cable-driven robot, applied lateral forces to the pelvis that were proportional to the real-time lateral center of mass (COM) velocity. While we expected individuals to maintain stability during straight walking at the Fast speed in normal conditions, we hypothesized that both groups would be less stable in the Amplification field at the Fast speed compared to the Preferred. However, we found no effects of speed or the interaction between speed and field on straight-walking stability [Lyapunov exponent or lateral margin of stability (MOS)]. Across all trials at the Fast speed compared to the Preferred, there was greater step width variability (p = 0.031) and a stronger correlation between lateral COM state at midstance and the subsequent lateral foot placement. These observations suggest that increased stepping variability at faster speeds may be beneficial for COM control. We hypothesized that during lateral maneuvers in the Amplification field, MOS on the Initiation and Termination steps would be smaller at the Fast speed than at the Preferred. We found no effect of speed on the Initiation step MOS within either field (p > 0.350) or group (p > 0.200). The Termination step MOS decreased at the Fast speed within the group without iSCI (p < 0.001), indicating a trade-off between lateral stability and forward walking speed. Unexpectedly, participants took more steps and time to complete maneuvers at the Fast treadmill speed in the Amplification field. This strategy prioritizing stability over speed was especially evident in the group with iSCI. Overall, individuals with iSCI were able to maintain lateral stability when walking fast in balance-challenging conditions but may have employed more cautious maneuver strategies.

scholarly journals Asymptomatic Genu Recurvatum Reshapes Lower Limb Sagittal Joint and Elevation Angles During Gait at Different Speeds

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederic Dierick ◽  
Celine Schreiber ◽  
Pauline Lavalee ◽  
Fabien Buisseret
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Gait Cycle ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Elevation Angle ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Genu Recurvatum ◽  
Secondary Objective ◽  
Lower Maximum ◽  
Spatio Temporal

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to characterize the lower limb sagittal joint and elevation angles during walking in participants with asymptomatic genu recurvatum and compare it with control participants without knee deformation. The secondary objective is to study the influence of walking speed on these kinematic variables. Methods: The spatio-temporal parameters and kinematics of the lower limb were recorded using an optoelectronic motion capture system in 26 participants (n = 13 with genu recurvatum and n = 13 controls). The participants walked on an instrumented treadmill during five minutes at three different speeds: slow, medium and fast. Results: Participants with genu recurvatum showed several significant differences with controls: a narrower step width, a greater maximum hip joint extension angle, a greater knee joint extension angle at mid stance, a lower maximum knee joint extension angle during the swing phase, and a greater ankle joint extension angle at the end of the gait cycle. Participants with genu recurvatum had a greater minimum thigh elevation angle, a greater maximum foot elevation angle, and a change in the orientation of the covariance plane. Walking speed had a significant effect on nearly all lower limb joint, elevation angle, and covariance plane parameters. Conclusion: Our findings show that genu recurvatum reshapes lower limb sagittal joint and elevation angles during walking at different speeds but preserves the covariation of elevation angles along a plane during both stance and swing phases and the rotation of this plane with increasing speed.

scholarly journals Post-stroke deficits in the step-by-step control of paretic step width

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 ◽  
pp. 136-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy H. Stimpson ◽  
Lauren N. Heitkamp ◽  
Aaron E. Embry ◽  
Jesse C. Dean
Keyword(s):  
Step Width ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Step Control

scholarly journals Biomechanical analysis of walking gait when simulating the use of an Ilizarov external fixator

2018 ◽  
Vol 232 (6) ◽  
pp. 628-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin B Layton ◽  
Todd D Stewart ◽  
Paul Harwood ◽  
Neil Messenger
Keyword(s):  
Walking Speed ◽  
Biomechanical Analysis ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Ilizarov External Fixator ◽  
Walking Gait ◽  
Test Conditions ◽  
Ilizarov Frame ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
External Fixation Device ◽  
Healthy Participants

The Ilizarov frame is an external fixation device, primarily used for the treatment of complex fractures. The authors postulate that the size and weight of the frame may lead to biomechanical adaptations to gait, independent to any injury. Temporospatial characteristics, kinetics and kinematics were assessed when simulating the use of an Ilizarov frame. Fifteen healthy participants performed walking trials, with and without the simulated frame. Significant changes to temporospatial characteristics were identified, with a decreased mean walking speed (with: 1.24 m s–1; without: 1.29 m s–1) and increased mean step width (with: 0.14 m; without: 0.11 m). The push-off phase of gait differed significantly between test conditions with mean increases in ankle dorsiflexion angles (with: 90.4°; without: 89.0°) and extension moments (proportional to body weight or P BWT) at the knee and ankle (knee with: 0.8 P BWT·m; without: 0.7 P BWT·m; ankle with: 1.6 P BWT·m; without: 1.6 P BWT·m). Although changes were small and likely to be clinically insignificant, the size and weight of the frame led to adaptations which may be magnified for patient groups with associated injury and pain at the lower limb. Results provide an argument for the potential redesign of the frame.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Effect of Corrective Exercises With and Without Suit Therapy on Gait Kinematic and Balance in Autism Children With Toe Walking

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 532-545
Author(s):  
Majid Khodadadi ◽  
◽  
Hooman Minoonejad ◽  
Yusef Moghadas Tabrizi ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stride Length ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Therapy Group ◽  
Movement Analysis ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hip Flexion ◽  
Toe Walking

Background and Aims: Autism is an evolutional syndrome that causes social and interactional disorders and changes movement patterns. Corrective exercises can positively affect gait and balance in autistic children. The suit therapy is jointed with hooks and elastic bands that balance pressure and support muscles and joints. This study compares the effect of corrective exercise with and without suit therapy on gait kinematic and balance in autistic children with toe walking. Methods: A group of 30 autistic boys with toe walking (Mean±SD: age= 5.7±1.7 years, height= 106.4±19.5 cm, and weight= 20.8±5.8 kg) were chosen voluntarily and purposefully in this study and then randomly assigned into two groups of with and without suit therapy. Both groups received 8 weeks of corrective exercises, including 5 sessions per week, each session for 2 hours. The cases gait kinematic (Tree dimensional movement analysis) and balance (Tinetti) were evaluated in the pre and posttest. Paired and independent t-test were used for statistical analyses using SPSS v. 16. Results: The result revealed a significant difference in the gait kinematic between the two groups. Treatment in the corrective exercises group with suit therapy was significantly more effective in stride length (P=0.001), step length (P=0.001), step width (P=0.021), walking speed (P=0.001), ankle dorsiflexion in stance (P=0.001), and swing (P=0.001) phase than that corrective exercises without suit therapy group. But between these two groups, no significant difference was observed in stride time (P=0.444), cadence (P=0.361), deviation foot (P=0.614), and hip flexion (P=0.135). The results of the study also showed no significant difference in balance (P=0.927) between groups. Conclusion: Corrective exercises with suit therapy are more effective than ones without suit therapy. Therefore, corrective exercises sessions with suit therapy are suggested for autistic boys with toe walking.

scholarly journals Energy expenditure does not explain step length-width choices during walking

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A Antos ◽  
Konrad P Kording ◽  
Keith E Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Energy Expenditures ◽  
Length Width ◽  
Metabolic Energy Expenditure ◽  
Least Energy ◽  
Trial Participants

Healthy young adults have a most preferred walking speed, step length, and step width that are close to energetically optimal. However, people can choose to walk with a multitude of different step lengths and widths, which can vary in both energy expenditure and preference. Here we further investigate step length-width preferences and their relationship to energy expenditure. In line with a growing body of research, we hypothesized that people's preferred stepping patterns would not be fully explained by metabolic energy expenditure. To test this hypothesis we used a two-alternative forced-choice paradigm. Fifteen participants walked on an oversized treadmill. Each trial participants experienced two stepping patterns and then chose the pattern they preferred. Over time, we adapted the choices such that there was 50% chance of choosing one pattern over another (equally preferred). If people's preferences are based solely on metabolic energy expenditure, then these equally preferred stepping patterns should have equal energy expenditure. We found that energy expenditure differed across equally preferred step length-width patterns (p < 0.001). On average, longer steps with higher energy expenditures were preferred over shorter and wider steps with lower energy expenditures (p < 0.001). We also asked participants to rank a set of shorter, wider, and longer steps from most preferred to least preferred, and from most energy expended to least energy expended. Only 7/15 participants had the same rankings for their preferences and perceived energy expenditure. Our results suggest that energy expenditure is not the only factor influencing a person's conscious gait choices.

scholarly journals Is faster always better? The walking speed-dependency of gait variability in bilateral vestibulopathy

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher McCrum ◽  
Florence Lucieer ◽  
Raymond van de Berg ◽  
Paul Willems ◽  
Angélica Pérez Fornos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Variability ◽  
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Bilateral Vestibulopathy ◽  
Walking Speeds

AbstractStudy of balance and gait deficits associated with vestibulopathy is important for improving clinical care and is critical to our understanding of the vestibular contributions to gait and balance control. Previous studies report a speed-dependency of the vestibular contributions to gait, so we examined the walking speed effects on gait variability in healthy young and older adults and in adults with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP). Forty-four people with BVP, 12 healthy young adults and 12 healthy older adults completed walking trials at 0.4m/s to 1.6m/s in 0.2m/s intervals on a dual belt, instrumented treadmill. Using a motion capture system and kinematic data, the means and coefficients of variation for step length, time, width and double support time were calculated. The BVP group also completed a video head impulse test and examinations of ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and dynamic visual acuity. Walking speed significantly affected all assessed gait parameters. Step length variability at slower speeds and step width variability at faster speeds were the most distinguishing parameters between the healthy participants and people with BVP, and within people with BVP with different locomotor capacities. We observed for step width variability, specifically, an apparent persistent importance of vestibular function at increasing speeds. Gait variability was not associated with the clinical vestibular tests. Our results indicate that gait variability at multiple walking speeds has potential as an assessment tool for vestibular interventions.New & Noteworthy:Walking speed significantly but differentially affects gait variability in healthy adults and in adults with bilateral vestibulopathy. Gait variability at different speeds distinguishes between participants with and without bilateral vestibulopathy, but also between more and less able walkers with bilateral vestibulopathy. Specifically, for step width variability, an apparent persistent importance of vestibular function at increasing walking speeds was observed. Gait variability was generally not correlated with clinical tests of vestibular function.

scholarly journals A Consideration on a Dynamic Control Method for Quadruped Walking Robots

1992 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 526-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junji Furusho ◽  
◽  
Akihito Sano ◽  
Yosuke Okajima ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Walking Speed ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Dynamic Control ◽  
Knee Joints ◽  
Walking Robots ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Robot System ◽  
Walking Control ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Stability

There are many kinds of control methods for quadruped walking robots. In this paper, we deal with a walking control method in which the robot system can utilize the gravity effect very skillfully and the energy can thus be saved. Using computer simulation, we studied the walking control by this method from some aspects, such as the mean walking speed, the variation of the walking speed, and the stability. It is shown that the step width and the bending angle of the knee joints at the touchdown are important factors for walking controls.

scholarly journals The walking speed-dependency of gait variability in bilateral vestibulopathy and its association with clinical tests of vestibular function

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher McCrum ◽  
Florence Lucieer ◽  
Raymond van de Berg ◽  
Paul Willems ◽  
Angélica Pérez Fornos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Walking Speed ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Vestibular Function ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Variability ◽  
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials ◽  
Head Impulse Test ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Bilateral Vestibulopathy

AbstractUnderstanding balance and gait deficits in vestibulopathy may help improve clinical care and our knowledge of the vestibular contributions to balance. Here, we examined walking speed effects on gait variability in healthy adults and in adults with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP). Forty-four people with BVP, 12 healthy young adults and 12 healthy older adults walked at 0.4 m/s to 1.6 m/s in 0.2 m/s increments on a dual belt, instrumented treadmill. Using motion capture and kinematic data, the means and coefficients of variation for step length, time, width and double support time were calculated. The BVP group also completed a video head impulse test and examinations of ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and dynamic visual acuity. Walking speed significantly affected all gait parameters. Step length variability at slower speeds and step width variability at faster speeds were the most distinguishing parameters between the healthy participants and people with BVP, and among people with BVP with different locomotor capacities. Step width variability, specifically, indicated an apparent persistent importance of vestibular function at increasing speeds. Gait variability was not associated with the clinical vestibular tests. Our results indicate that gait variability at multiple walking speeds has potential as an assessment tool for vestibular interventions.

Combat-related foot injuries: impact on gait and functional outcome

2018 ◽  
Vol 164 (5) ◽  
pp. 322-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loes G M de Kruijff ◽  
M Prins ◽  
A van der Krans ◽  
R Hoencamp ◽  
P van der Wurff
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Ankle Joint ◽  
Peak Power ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Foot Injuries ◽  
Stride Duration ◽  
High Level ◽  
Böhler’S Angle

IntroductionPrior to deployment of the Netherlands Army Task Force Urozgan in Afghanistan, the Dutch Military and civilian healthcare systems had limited experience in treating blast injuries and their long-term consequences. This meant that guidelines for treatment and rehabilitation were lacking. The aim of this cohort study was to quantify kinematic and kinetic abnormalities in service members with foot injuries in relation to functional outcome using gait analysis.MethodIn nine service members with combat-related talus, calcaneus and/or navicular bone (TCN) fractures and nine controls, gait parameters were measured using Gait Real-Time Analysis Interactive Lab system. High-level mobility was evaluated by the Comprehensive High-Level Activity Mobility Predictor (CHAMP), and functional ability was assessed by Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) questionnaire.ResultsSignificant differences were found for LEFS and CHAMP scores (P<0.01), comfortable walking speed and ankle joint range of motion (ROM) (P<0.05), all lower in the group with TCN fractures. For this group, a trend (0.1>P>0.05) for higher step width and lower stride duration and peak power was found. A strong correlation (0.6>r>0.79) is shown between LEFS and comfortable walking speed and CHAMP and ankle joint ROM. The correlations between LEFS and stride duration, step width, ankle joint ROM and peak power, and between CHAMP and comfortable walking speed and stride duration, were moderate (0.4>r>0.59).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that service members with TCN fractures, compared with healthy controls, have altered gait characteristics, specifically lower walking speed and ankle joint ROM, both related to lower physical functioning. Patients with bilateral depressed Böhler’s angle had the worse functional performance, and further research is recommended to evaluate the relationship between Böhler’s angle and physical performance.Clinical TrialThe Dutch Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Institutional Review Board and Medical Ethics Review Committee Brabant, The Netherlands, approved this study (P1550).

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