Gait alterations during walking with partial body weight supported on a treadmill and over the ground

Author(s)

Barela, Ana Maria F. ^[1] ; Gama, Gabriela L. ^[1] ; Russo-Junior, V, Douglas ; Celestino, Melissa L. ^[2] ; Barela, Jose A. ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Cruzeiro do Sul Univ, Inst Phys Act & Sport Sci, Rua Galvao Bueno 868, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Russo-Junior, Douglas, V, Cruzeiro do Sul Univ, Inst Phys Act & Sport Sci, Rua Galvao Bueno 868, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Phys Educ, Inst Biosci, Av 24-A, 1515, Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 9, MAY 31 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Understanding the changes induced by body weight support (BWS) systems when non-disabled adults walk can help develop appropriate rehabilitation protocols. The purpose of this study was to investigate spatial-temporal gait alterations during walking with BWS on a treadmill and over the ground. Fourteen non-disabled young adults (including seven women) walked over the ground and on a treadmill with 0%, 10%, and 20% of BWS at 80% of their self-selected comfortable walking speed (baseline). The stride length and speed, step length, and stance and double-limb support durations were calculated and compared among the different conditions. The non-disabled adults modulated their spatial-temporal gait parameters according to the surface and percentage of BWS. They walked with shorter and slower strides and shorter steps and spent more time in contact with the support surface as they walked on the treadmill than as they did over the ground. Walking on the treadmill promoted less variability and a higher rate of change than did walking over the ground. Both the surface and amount of BWS should be taken into consideration when using BWS systems for (re)learning and/or reestablishing gait. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/02322-5 - Use of dynamic and static surfaces during walking training with partial body weight support in individuals post-stroke
• Grantee: Ana Maria Forti Barela
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/08883-7 - Influence of partial body weight support on the locomotor adaptability of hemiparetic individuals due to stroke
• Grantee: Douglas Vicente Russo Junior
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 10/15218-3 - Use of partial body weight support system on static and dynamic surfaces during walking training of children with cerebral palsy
• Grantee: Ana Maria Forti Barela
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/25376-9 - Locomotor adaptation of individuals with hemiparesis due to stroke: influence of partial body weight support
• Grantee: Ana Maria Forti Barela
• Support type: Regular Research Grants