Benjamin J Darter1, Bethany A Labrecque2, Robert A Perera3. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 E. Broad Street, Box 980224, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veteran Affairs Medical Center, 1201 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond, VA, 23249, USA. Electronic address: bjdarter@vcu.edu. 2. Department of Physical Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1200 E. Broad Street, Box 980224, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA. Electronic address: labrecqueba@mymail.vcu.edu. 3. Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 980032, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA. Electronic address: robert.perera@vcuhealth.org.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Walking instability is a contributor to falls and other undesired changes in walking performance. We investigated the effect of split-belt treadmill based perturbations on dynamic stability. Furthermore, we examined the relationships for dynamic stability and symmetry during unperturbed and perturbed walking. METHOD: Twenty healthy young adults completed unperturbed and perturbed walking conditions on a split-belt treadmill. The continuous perturbation involved moving the parallel belts at unequal speeds (1.5 m/s: 0.5 m/s). Margins of stability (MoS) and step length symmetry (SYM) were assessed. RESULTS: Stability and symmetry measures each decreased at the onset of the split walking perturbation. Only anterior-posterior (AP) MoS and SYM exhibited adaptive changes. Associations were found primarily for AP MoS with immediate changes in SYM at the onset of split walking, and over the duration of the split walking condition. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest walking strategies were adapted to maintain dynamic stability when faced with a continuous perturbation. Additionally, dynamic stability was associated with symmetry during perturbed walking. Published by Elsevier B.V.
INTRODUCTION: Walking instability is a contributor to falls and other undesired changes in walking performance. We investigated the effect of split-belt treadmill based perturbations on dynamic stability. Furthermore, we examined the relationships for dynamic stability and symmetry during unperturbed and perturbed walking. METHOD: Twenty healthy young adults completed unperturbed and perturbed walking conditions on a split-belt treadmill. The continuous perturbation involved moving the parallel belts at unequal speeds (1.5 m/s: 0.5 m/s). Margins of stability (MoS) and step length symmetry (SYM) were assessed. RESULTS: Stability and symmetry measures each decreased at the onset of the split walking perturbation. Only anterior-posterior (AP) MoS and SYM exhibited adaptive changes. Associations were found primarily for AP MoS with immediate changes in SYM at the onset of split walking, and over the duration of the split walking condition. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest walking strategies were adapted to maintain dynamic stability when faced with a continuous perturbation. Additionally, dynamic stability was associated with symmetry during perturbed walking. Published by Elsevier B.V.
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