Pedestrians' Normal Walking Speed and Speed When Crossing a Street

Twenty unilateral trans-femoral amputees fitted with either the Contoured Adducted Trochanteric-Controlled Alignment Method (CAT-CAM) socket (n=10) or the quadrilateral (QUAD) socket (n=10), and a “non-amputee” control group (n=10) participated in the study. Subjects meeting the following criteria were studied: healthy males between the ages of 18 and 55 years, amputation due to non-vascular pathology, an unaffected sound limb, at least six months use of the test prosthesis, and a minimal stump length of 15 cm. Subjects ambulated in two randomized trials separated by 20 minutes of rest at 2 assigned speeds: a pace reflecting normal walking speed (97 m/min=2.5 mph) or a slower speed (48.5 m/min=1.25 mph). Heart rate (HR) and Oxygen uptake (VO2) measured during steady state walking were analyzed via two-way ANOVA. Differences among means were further analyzed using Tukey post hoc and simple effects tests. Significant differences were observed between the control group and CAT-CAM subjects with respect to VO2 (p < 0.05) and HR (p < 0.01) at the slower speed. The control group and subjects using the QUAD socket also differed with respect to VO2 (p < 0.01) and HR (p < 0.01) at the slower pace. Faster pace required more energy expenditure (p < 0.01) and produced higher HR (p < 0.01) than slower speeds. At faster pace, a significantly higher energy expenditure in the QUAD than the CAT-CAM group was observed (p<0.01). It is concluded that ambulating at normal pace using the CAT-CAM socket design uses less energy than when using a QUAD socket design.

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Body-worn motion sensors detect balance and gait deficits in people with multiple sclerosis who have normal walking speed

Gait & Posture ◽

10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.11.026 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 573-578 ◽

Cited By ~ 162

Author(s):

R.I. Spain ◽

R.J. St. George ◽

A. Salarian ◽

M. Mancini ◽

J.M. Wagner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Motion Sensors ◽

Normal Walking

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Changes in the Determinism of the Gait Dynamics with the Intervention of a Robotic Walker

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app10144939 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (14) ◽

pp. 4939

Author(s):

Xianglong Wan ◽

Yoji Yamada

Keyword(s):

Walking Speed ◽

Recurrence Plot ◽

Scaling Exponent ◽

Normal Walking ◽

Gait Dynamics ◽

Local Scaling ◽

Individual Level ◽

Robotic Walker ◽

Posterior Direction ◽

Anterior Posterior

(1) Robotic walkers have gradually been developed over the last decade, and their use has caused changes in gait. However, detailed gait analyses during robotic walker-assisted walking have not been performed. In this study, we aim to identify the changes in determinism of gait dynamics owing to the intervention of a robotic walker. (2) Eleven healthy subjects participated in walking experiments under normal walking, rollator-assisted walking, and robotic walker-assisted walking conditions. We analyzed the measured trunk acceleration to derive the gait parameters, local scaling exponent (LSE, from correlation sum), and percentage of determinism (%DET, from recurrence plot). (3) The walking speed during rollator-assisted walking was significantly lower than that during robotic walker-assisted walking. Changes in the shape of the LSE along the anterior–posterior direction revealed the influence of the robotic walker at an individual level. The changes in %DET along the anterior–posterior direction were also significantly different between normal walking and robotic walker-assisted walking. (4) The rollator decreased the walking speed in comparison to normal walking. The changed LSE and reduced %DET imply reduced deterministic patterns and disturbance to the gait dynamics. The robotic walker only affects the gait dynamics in the anterior–posterior direction. Furthermore, the burden on the subjects was reduced during robotic walker-assisted walking.

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Normal walking speed: a descriptive meta-analysis

Physiotherapy ◽

10.1016/j.physio.2010.12.004 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 97 (3) ◽

pp. 182-189 ◽

Cited By ~ 309

Author(s):

Richard W. Bohannon ◽

A. Williams Andrews

Keyword(s):

Walking Speed ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Normal Walking

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GABAergic inhibition of leg motoneurons is required for normal walking behavior in freely moving Drosophila

10.1101/173120 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Swetha B.M. Gowda ◽

Pushkar D. Paranjpe ◽

O. Venkateswara Reddy ◽

Sudhir Palliyil ◽

Heinrich Reichert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Analysis ◽

High Speed ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Step Length ◽

Inhibitory Input ◽

Rhythmic Pattern ◽

Normal Walking ◽

Inhibitory Neurotransmitter ◽

Leg Movement

ABSTRACTWalking is a complex rhythmic locomotor behaviour generated by sequential and periodical contraction of muscles essential for coordinated control of movements of legs and leg joints. Studies of walking in vertebrates and invertebrates have revealed that premotor neural circuitry generates a basic rhythmic pattern that is sculpted by sensory feedback and ultimately controls the amplitude and phase of the motor output to leg muscles. However, the identity and functional roles of the premotor interneurons that directly control leg motoneuron activity are poorly understood. Here we take advantage of the powerful genetic methodology available in Drosophila to investigate the role of premotor inhibition in walking by genetically suppressing inhibitory input to leg motoneurons. For this, we have developed a novel algorithm for automated analysis of leg motion to characterize the walking parameters of wildtype flies from high speed video recordings. Further, we use genetic reagents for targeted RNAi knockdown of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in leg motoneurons together with quantitative analysis of resulting changes in leg movement parameters in freely walking Drosophila. Our findings indicate that targeted down regulation of GABAA receptor Rdl in leg motoneurons results in a dramatic reduction of walking speed and step-length without the loss of general leg coordination during locomotion. Genetically restricting the knockdown to the adult stage and subsets of motoneurons yields qualitatively identical results. Taken together, these findings identify GABAergic premotor inhibition of motoneurons as an important determinant of correctly coordinated leg movements and speed of walking in freely behaving Drosophila.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTInhibition is an important feature of neuronal circuit and in walking it aids in controlling coordinated movement of legs, leg segments and leg joints. Recent studies in Drosophila reports the role of premotor inhibitory interneurons in regulation of larval locomotion. However, in adult walking the identity and functional role of premotor interneurons is less understood. Here, we use genetic methods for targeted knockdown of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor in leg motoneurons that results in slower walking speed and defects in walking parameters combined with novel method we have developed for quantitative analysis of the fly leg movement and the observed changes in walking parameters. Our results indicate that GABAergic pre-motor inhibition to leg motoneurons is required to control the normal walking behaviour in adult Drosophila.

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Novel single marker approach to estimation of lower extremity movement

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part H Journal of Engineering in Medicine ◽

10.1177/0954411917705908 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 231 (8) ◽

pp. 705-714

Author(s):

Fateme Navvab Motlagh ◽

Ahmad Reza Arshi

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Sagittal Plane ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Heel Strike ◽

Anatomical Landmarks ◽

Normal Walking ◽

Single Marker

Sacrum motion is used extensively in studying the biomechanical characteristics of walking. This study aimed at investigating the potential of sacrum motion to provide an estimation of important gait events in conjunction with predicting the motion of lower extremity segments. Three-dimensional trajectories of 37 reflective markers placed on anatomical landmarks of 14 healthy subjects were recorded while walking at self-selected normal walking speed on treadmill. Elevation angles of lower extremity segments in sagittal plane were estimated using the lower extremity markers. Regression analysis was used to estimate the ability of sacrum kinematic variables to predict lower extremity elevation angles. Prediction was performed at 10 different gait events extracted from three-dimensional sacrum trajectories. The coefficients of the predicting variables were analyzed at these events. The results indicated that heel strike and toe off event instances identified using trajectory of sacrum marker were close to the results of accurate kinematic methods. Additionally, the motion of this point was able to predict lower extremity angles with a suitable coefficient of determination at early single support and mid-swing events. A range of musculoskeletal disorders could be identified using the elevation angles at these events. This study could be considered as a step toward development of effective and simplified instrumentation in clinical diagnosis of gait disorders.

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Gait speed and pedestrian crossings in COPD

Thorax ◽

10.1136/thoraxjnl-2017-210173 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

pp. 191-192 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Claire M Nolan ◽

Samantha S C Kon ◽

Suhani Patel ◽

Sarah E Jones ◽

Ruth E Barker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Normal Walking ◽

Traffic Lights ◽

Link Type ◽

Ambulatory Patients ◽

Cross Traffic

The assumed minimum walking speed at pedestrian crossings is 1.2 m/s. In this prospective cohort study, usual walking speed was measured over a 4 m course in 926 community-dwelling, ambulatory patients with stable COPD. Mean (SD) walking speed was 0.91 (0.24) m/s with only 10.7% walking at a speed equal or greater than 1.2 m/s. In order for 95% of this cohort to safely negotiate a pedestrian cross, traffic lights would have to assume a minimum walking speed of 0.50 m/s (2.4 times longer than current times). The current assumed normal walking speed for pedestrian crossings is inappropriate for patients with COPD.The studies were registered on clinicaltrials.gov and these data relate to the pre-results stage: NCT01649193, NCT01515709 and NCT01507415.

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Identification of Disability Risk in Addition to Slow Walking Speed in Older Adults

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000516966 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Hiroyuki Shimada ◽

Takehiko Doi ◽

Sangyoon Lee ◽

Kota Tsutsumimoto ◽

Seongryu Bae ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Regression Models ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Word List ◽

Normal Walking ◽

Slow Walking ◽

List Memory ◽

Walking Speeds ◽

Walking Group ◽

Slow Walking Speed

Introduction: A cutoff speed of 1.0 m/s for walking at a comfortable pace is critical for predicting future functional decline. However, some older adults with walking speeds below the cutoff point maintain an independent living. We aimed to identify specific predictors of disability development in older adults with slow walking speeds in contrast to those with a normal walking speed. Methods: This prospective cohort study on 12,046 community-dwelling independent Japanese older adults (mean age, 73.6 ± 5.4 years) was conducted between 2011 and 2015. Participants were classified into slow walking speed (comfortable walking speed slower than 1.0 m/s) and normal walking speed (speed of 1.0 m/s or faster) groups and followed up to assess disability incidence for 24 months after baseline assessments. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify predictors of disability development in the slow and normal walking groups. Results: Overall, 26.8% of participants had a slow walking speed. At follow-up, 17.3% and 5.1% of participants in the slow and normal walking groups, respectively, developed disability (p < 0.01). Cox regression models revealed that age (hazard ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 1.05–1.09), walking speed (0.12, 0.07–0.22), grip strength (0.97, 0.95–0.99), Parkinson’s disease (4.65, 2.59–8.33), word list memory-immediate recognition score (0.90, 0.85–0.97), word list memory-delayed recall score (0.94, 0.89–1.00), Symbol Digit Substitution Test (SDST) score (0.98, 0.96–0.99), and 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score (1.04, 1.01–1.07) were significantly associated with disability incidence in the slow walking group. In the normal walking group, age, grip strength, depression, diabetes, cognition, GDS score, and reduced participation in outdoor activity were significantly associated with disability incidence; however, there was no significant association with walking speed. Conclusions: Decreased walking speeds have considerably greater impact on disability development in older adults with a slow walking speed than in those with a normal walking speed. Health-care providers should explore modifiable factors for reducing walking speed; they should also encourage improvement of risk factors such as muscle weakness and depression to reduce disability risk in older adults with slow walking speeds.

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Mechanics and energetics of stilt walking

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1981.51.2.529 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 529-532 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

P. Vaida ◽

B. Anton-Kuchly ◽

P. Varene

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Energy Expenditure ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Energy Requirements ◽

Normal Walking ◽

Step Rate ◽

Length Step ◽

Foot Loading ◽

The Relationship

Three subjects were studied walking on a sports track with and without 1-m-long stilts. They were asked to walk in different ways. Pace length, step rate, heart rate, and oxygen consumption were measured under both conditions at different speeds. The results show that walking speed is generally faster for stilt walking than for normal walking. The higher speed is achieved due to increased pace length in spite of a decrease in step rate. The relationship between energy expenditure and walking speed is approximately the same in both cases. This result may be explained by two opposing factors: increase of pace length and decrease of step rate decrease the energy requirements of stilt walking, but the foot loading presented by the stilt walking exaggerates these conditions and increases energy expenditure.

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Determinants of Independence in the Elderly

Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1139/h93-021 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 243-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

David A. Cunningham ◽

Donald H. Paterson ◽

Joan E. Himann ◽

Peter A. Rechnitzer

Keyword(s):

Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽

Walking Speed ◽

The Elderly ◽

Test Body ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Normal Walking ◽

Walking Test ◽

Outdoor Activities ◽

Shoulder Flexibility ◽

Elderly Living

The purpose of this study was to compare strength, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness of the elderly living independently (n = 64) with those in rest or nursing homes (n = 61), and to identify those variables most strongly associated with an independent lifestyle. Quantitative levels of independence (Incapacity Index) and of activity were determined by questionnaires. Flexibility was measured using the Leighton Flexometer. Strength was measured using a modified sphygmomanometer. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured using a self-paced walking test. Body size factors were also determined. Independent and dependent subjects were significantly different in age, which imposed a limitation on interpretation of these data. However, this factor was accounted for statistically in the analyses. Independent individuals compared to dependent ones showed significantly greater flexibility, activity levels, and choice of walking speed. Through multiple regression analysis, it was found that 40% of the variance in Incapacity Index was associated with participation in outdoor activities, greater shoulder flexibility, and a faster normal walking speed (> 1.0 m∙s−1). Key words: physical activity in the elderly, flexibility, strength, self-paced walking, physical fitness

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