scholarly journals Contributions of spatial and temporal control of step length symmetry in the transfer of locomotor adaptation from a motorized to a non-motorized split-belt treadmill

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Gregory ◽  
Frank C. Sup ◽  
Julia T. Choi
Keyword(s):  
Step Length ◽  
Treadmill Walking ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Foot Placement ◽  
After Effects ◽  
Locomotor Adaptation ◽  
Locomotor Control ◽  
Length Difference ◽  
Limb Coordination ◽  
Healthy Participants

Walking requires control of where and when to step for stable interlimb coordination. Motorized split-belt treadmills which constrain each leg to move at different speeds lead to adaptive changes to limb coordination that result in after-effects (e.g. gait asymmetry) on return to normal treadmill walking. These after-effects indicate an underlying neural adaptation. Here, we assessed the transfer of motorized split-belt treadmill adaptations with a custom non-motorized split-belt treadmill where each belt can be self-propelled at different speeds. Transfer was indicated by the presence of after-effects in step length, foot placement and step timing differences. Ten healthy participants adapted on a motorized split-belt treadmill (2 : 1 speed ratio) and were then assessed for after-effects during subsequent non-motorized treadmill and motorized tied-belt treadmill walking. We found that after-effects in step length difference during transfer to non-motorized split-belt walking were primarily associated with step time differences. Conversely, residual after-effects during motorized tied-belt walking following transfer were associated with foot placement differences. Our data demonstrate decoupling of adapted spatial and temporal locomotor control during transfer to a novel context, suggesting that foot placement and step timing control can be independently modulated during walking.

scholarly journals Contributions of spatial and temporal control of step length symmetry in the transfer of locomotor adaptation from a motorized to a non-motorized split-belt treadmill

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Gregory ◽  
Frank C. Sup ◽  
Julia T. Choi
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Treadmill Walking ◽  
The Body ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Temporal Control ◽  
After Effects ◽  
Locomotor Adaptation ◽  
Length Difference ◽  
Motor Outputs

AbstractBackgroundLocomotor adaptation during motorized split-belt walking depends on independent processes for spatial and temporal control of step length symmetry. The unique mechanics of motorized split-belt walking that constrains two limbs to move at different speeds during double support may limit transfer of step length adaptations to new walking contexts.Research questionHow do spatial and temporal locomotor outputs contribute to transfer of step length adaptation from constrained motorized split-belt walking to unconstrained non-motorized split-belt walking?MethodsWe built a non-motorized split-belt treadmill that allows the user to walk at their own pace while simultaneously allowing the two belts to be self-propelled at different speeds. 10 healthy young participants walked on the non-motorized split-belt treadmill after an initial 10-minute adaptation on the motorized split-belt with a 2:1 speed ratio. Foot placement relative to the body and timing between heel strikes were calculated to determine spatial and temporal motor outputs, respectively. Separate repeated measures ANOVAs were used for step length difference and its spatial and temporal components to assess for transfer to the non-motorized treadmill.ResultsWe found robust after-effects in step length difference during transfer to non-motorized split-belt treadmill walking that were primarily driven by changes in temporal motor outputs. Conversely, residual after-effects observed during motorized tied-belt treadmill walking (post-transfer) were driven by changes in spatial motor outputs.SignificanceOur data showed decoupling of adapted spatial and temporal locomotor outputs during the transfer to non-motorized split-belt walking, raising the new possibility of using a non-motorized split-belt treadmill to target specific spatial or temporal gait deficits.

scholarly journals Blocking trial-by-trial error correction does not interfere with motor learning in human walking

2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (5) ◽  
pp. 2341-2348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew W. Long ◽  
Ryan T. Roemmich ◽  
Amy J. Bastian
Keyword(s):  
Error Correction ◽  
Motor Pattern ◽  
Step Length ◽  
The Other ◽  
Human Walking ◽  
Not Given ◽  
Foot Placement ◽  
Locomotor Adaptation ◽  
Walking Pattern ◽  
Environmental Demands

Movements can be learned implicitly in response to new environmental demands or explicitly through instruction and strategy. The former is often studied in an environment that perturbs movement so that people learn to correct the errors and store a new motor pattern. Here, we demonstrate in human walking that implicit learning of foot placement occurs even when an explicit strategy is used to block changes in foot placement during the learning process. We studied people learning a new walking pattern on a split-belt treadmill with and without an explicit strategy through instruction on where to step. When there is no instruction, subjects implicitly learn to place one foot in front of the other to minimize step-length asymmetry during split-belt walking, and the learned pattern is maintained when the belts are returned to the same speed, i.e., postlearning. When instruction is provided, we block expression of the new foot-placement pattern that would otherwise naturally develop from adaptation. Despite this appearance of no learning in foot placement, subjects show similar postlearning effects as those who were not given any instruction. Thus locomotor adaptation is not dependent on a change in action during learning but instead can be driven entirely by an unexpressed internal recalibration of the desired movement.

scholarly journals Augmenting propulsion demands during split-belt walking increases locomotor adaptation in the asymmetric motor system

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carly J. Sombric ◽  
Gelsy Torres-Oviedo
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Motor System ◽  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Motor Adaptation ◽  
Chronic Phase ◽  
Step Length ◽  
After Effects ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Locomotor Adaptation ◽  
Rehabilitation Strategy

AbstractBackgroundPromising studies have shown that the mobility of individuals with hemiparesis due to brain lesions, such as stroke, can improve through motor adaptation protocols forcing patients to use their affected limb more. However, little is known about how to facilitate this process. Here we asked if increasing propulsion demands during split-belt walking (i.e., legs moving at different speeds) leads to more motor adaptation and more symmetric gait in survivors of a stroke, as we previously observed in subjects without neurological disorders.MethodsWe investigated the effect of propulsion forces on locomotor adaptation during and after split-belt walking in the asymmetric motor system post-stroke. To test this, 12 subjects in the chronic phase post-stroke experienced a split-belt protocol in a flat and incline session so as to contrast the effects of two different propulsion demands. Step length asymmetry and propulsion forces were used to compare the motor behavior between the two sessions because these are clinically relevant measures that are altered by split-belt walking.ResultsThe incline session resulted in more symmetric step lengths during late split-belt walking and larger after-effects following split-belt walking. In both testing sessions, subjects who have had a stroke adapted to regain speed and slope-specific leg orientations similarly to young, intact adults. Importantly, leg orientations during baseline walking were predictive of those achieved during split-belt walking, which in turn predicted each individual’s post-adaptation behavior.ConclusionThese results indicated that survivors of a stroke can adapt their movements to meet leg-specific kinetic demands. This promising finding suggests that augmenting propulsion demands during split-belt walking could favor symmetric walking in individuals who had a stroke, possibly making split-belt interventions a more effective gait rehabilitation strategy.

scholarly journals Does increased gait variability improve stability when faced with an expected balance perturbation during treadmill walking?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Nestico ◽  
Alison Novak ◽  
Stephen D. Perry ◽  
Avril Mansfield
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Gait Variability ◽  
Treadmill Walking ◽  
Step Width ◽  
Movement Variability ◽  
Foot Placement ◽  
Motion Simulator ◽  
Improve Stability

AbstractBackgroundCurrently, there is uncertainty as to whether movement variability is errorful or exploratory.Research questionThis study aimed to determine if gait variability represents exploration to improve stability. We hypothesized that 1) spatiotemporal gait features will be more variable prior to an expected perturbation than during unperturbed walking, and 2) increased spatiotemporal gait variability pre-perturbation will correlate with improved stability post-perturbation.MethodsSixteen healthy young adults completed 15 treadmill walking trials within a motion simulator under two conditions: unperturbed and expecting a perturbation. Participants were instructed not to expect a perturbation for unperturbed trials, and to expect a single transient medio-lateral balance perturbation for perturbed trials. Kinematic data were collected during the trials. Twenty steps were recorded post-perturbation. Unperturbed and pre-perturbation gait variabilities were defined by the short- and long-term variabilities of step length, width, and time, using 100 steps from pre-perturbation and unperturbed trials. Paired t-tests identified between-condition differences in variabilities. Stability was defined as the number of steps to centre of mass restabilization post-perturbation. Multiple regression analyses determined the effect of pre-perturbation variability on stability.ResultsLong-term step width variability was significantly higher pre-perturbation compared to unperturbed walking (mean difference=0.28cm, p=0.0073), with no significant differences between conditions for step length or time variabilities. There was no significant relationship between pre-perturbation variability and post-perturbation restabilization.SignificanceIncreased pre-perturbation step width variability was neither beneficial nor detrimental to stability. However, the increased variability in medio-lateral foot placement suggests that participants adopted an exploratory strategy in anticipation of a perturbation.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Treadmill and Overground Walking Effects on Step Cycle Asymmetry in Young and Older Individuals

2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanatsu Nagano ◽  
Rezaul K. Begg ◽  
William A. Sparrow ◽  
Simon Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Treadmill Walking ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Overground Walking ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Step Cycle ◽  
Step Velocity

Although lower limb strength becomes asymmetrical with age, past studies of aging effects on gait biomechanics have usually analyzed only one limb. This experiment measured how aging and treadmill surface influenced both dominant and nondominant step parameters in older (mean 74.0 y) and young participants (mean 21.9 y). Step-cycle parameters were obtained from 3-dimensional position/time data during preferred-speed walking for 40 trials along a 10 m walkway and for 10 minutes of treadmill walking. Walking speed (young 1.23 m/s, older 1.24 m/s) and step velocity for the two age groups were similar in overground walking but older adults showed significantly slower walking speed (young 1.26 m/s, older 1.05 m/s) and step velocity on the treadmill due to reduced step length and prolonged step time. Older adults had shorter step length than young adults and both groups reduced step length on the treadmill. Step velocity and length of older adults’ dominant limb was asymmetrically larger. Older adults increased the proportion of double support in step time when treadmill walking. This adaptation combined with reduced step velocity and length may preserve balance. The results suggest that bilateral analyses should be employed to accurately describe asymmetric features of gait especially for older adults.

scholarly journals Tardigrades exhibit robust inter-limb coordination across walking speeds

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine A Nirody ◽  
Lisset A. Duran ◽  
Deborah Johnston ◽  
Daniel J. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Strategy ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Small Animals ◽  
Locomotor Control ◽  
Limb Coordination ◽  
Fluctuating Environments ◽  
Leg Coordination ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Control Circuits ◽  
Walking Speeds

AbstractTardigrades must negotiate heterogeneous, fluctuating environments, and accordingly utilize locomotive strategies capable of dealing with variable terrain. We analyze the kinematics and inter-leg coordination of freely walking tardigrades (species: Hypsibius dujardini). We find that tardigrade walking replicates several key features of walking in insects despite disparities in size, skeleton, and habitat. To test the effect of environmental changes on tardigrade locomotor control circuits, we measure kinematics and inter-leg coordination during walking on two substrates of different stiffnesses. We find that the phase offset between contralateral leg pairs is flexible, while ipsilateral coordination is preserved across environmental conditions. This mirrors similar results in insects and crustaceans. We propose that these functional similarities in walking co-ordination between tardigrades and arthropods is either due to a generalized locomotor control circuit common to panarthropods, or to independent convergence onto an optimal strategy for robust multi-legged control in small animals with simple circuitry. Our results highlight the value of tardigrades as a comparative system towards understanding the mechanisms – neural and/or mechanical – underlying coordination in panarthropod locomotion.

Age effects on step adaptation during treadmill walking with continuous step length biofeedback

2020 ◽  
Vol 80 ◽  
pp. 174-177
Author(s):  
Mahboobeh Mehdikhani ◽  
Simon Taylor ◽  
Blynn L. Shideler ◽  
Rajna Ogrin ◽  
Rezaul Begg
Keyword(s):  
Step Length ◽  
Treadmill Walking ◽  
Age Effects

scholarly journals Large Propulsion Demands Increase Locomotor Adaptation at the Expense of Step Length Symmetry

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carly J. Sombric ◽  
Jonathan S. Calvert ◽  
Gelsy Torres-Oviedo
Keyword(s):  
Step Length ◽  
Locomotor Adaptation

scholarly journals Pain Induced during Both the Acquisition and Retention Phases of Locomotor Adaptation Does Not Interfere with Improvements in Motor Performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Bouffard ◽  
Laurent J. Bouyer ◽  
Jean-Sébastien Roy ◽  
Catherine Mercier
Keyword(s):  
Motor Performance ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Locomotor Training ◽  
Locomotor Adaptation ◽  
Movement Error ◽  
Motor Strategy ◽  
Motor Strategies ◽  
Healthy Participants

Cutaneous pain experienced during locomotor training was previously reported to interfere with retention assessed in pain-free conditions. To determine whether this interference reflects consolidation deficits or a difficulty to transfer motor skills acquired in the presence of pain to a pain-free context, this study evaluated the effect of pain induced during both the acquisition and retention phases of locomotor learning. Healthy participants performed a locomotor adaptation task (robotized orthosis perturbing ankle movements during swing) on two consecutive days. Capsaicin cream was applied around participants’ ankle on both days for the Pain group, while the Control group was always pain-free. Changes in movement errors caused by the perturbation were measured to assess global motor performance; temporal distribution of errors and electromyographic activity were used to characterize motor strategies. Pain did not interfere with global performance during the acquisition or the retention phases but was associated with a shift in movement error center of gravity to later in the swing phase, suggesting a reduction in anticipatory strategy. Therefore, previously reported retention deficits could be explained by contextual changes between acquisition and retention tests. This difficulty in transferring skills from one context to another could be due to pain-related changes in motor strategy.

scholarly journals Persons with essential tremor can adapt to new walking patterns

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 1598-1605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaimie A. Roper ◽  
Sarah A. Brinkerhoff ◽  
Benjamin R. Harrison ◽  
Abigail C. Schmitt ◽  
Ryan T. Roemmich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Motor Adaptation ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gait Adaptation ◽  
Locomotor Adaptation ◽  
Temporal Aspects ◽  
Walking Adaptation

Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder that causes motor deficits similar to those seen in cerebellar disorders. These include kinetic tremor, gait ataxia, and impaired motor adaptation. Previous studies of motor adaptation in ET have focused on reaching while the effects of ET on gait adaptation are currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to contrast locomotor adaptation in persons with and without ET. We hypothesized that persons with ET would show impaired gait adaptation. In a cross-sectional study, persons with ET ( n = 14) and healthy matched controls ( n = 12) walked on a split-belt treadmill. Participants walked with the belts moving at a 2:1 ratio, followed by overground walking to test transfer, followed by a readaptation period and finally a deadaptation period. Step length asymmetry was measured to assess the rate of adaptation, amount of transfer, and rates of readaptation and deadaptation. Spatial, temporal, and velocity contributions to step length asymmetry were analyzed during adaptation. There were no group by condition interactions in step length asymmetry or contributions to step length asymmetry. Regardless of condition, persons with ET walked slower and exhibited lower temporal ( P < 0.001) and velocity ( P = 0.001) contributions to step length asymmetry than controls. Persons with ET demonstrated a preserved ability to adapt to, store, and transfer a new walking pattern. Despite probable cerebellar involvement in ET, locomotor adaptation is an available mechanism to teach persons with ET new gait patterns. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to investigate walking adaptation abilities of people with essential tremor. Despite evidence of cerebellar impairment in this population, people with essential tremor can adapt their walking patterns. However, people with essential tremor do not modulate the timing of their footsteps to meet walking demands. Therefore, this study is the first to report impairments in the temporal aspects of walking in people with essential tremor during both typical and locomotor learning.

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