Comparative Analysis of Gait Parameters and Symmetry between Preferred Walking Speed and Walking Speed by using the Froude Number

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in gait parameters and symmetry between walking speed by using the Froude number and preferred walking speed. Method: Fifty adults (age: <TEX>$21.0{\pm}1.7years$</TEX>, body weight: <TEX>$71.0{\pm}9.2kg$</TEX>, height: <TEX>$1.75{\pm}0.07m$</TEX>, leg length: <TEX>$0.89{\pm}0.05m$</TEX>) participated in this study. Leg length-applied walking speed was calculated by using the Froude number, defined as Fr = <TEX>${\upsilon}^2$</TEX>/gL, where v is the velocity, g is the gravitational acceleration, and L is the leg length. Video data were collected by using eight infrared cameras (Oqus 300, Qualysis, Sweden) and the Qualisys Track Manager software (Qualisys, Sweden), with a 200-Hz sampling frequency during two-speed walking (preferred walking speed [PS] and leg length-applied walking speed [LS]) on a treadmill (Instrumented Treadmill, Bertec, USA). The step length, stride length, support percentage, cadence, lower joint angle, range of motion (ROM), and symmetry index were then calculated by using the Matlab R2009a software. Results: Step and stride lengths were greater in LS than in PS (p < 0.05). The right single-support percentage was greater in LS than in PS (p < 0.05). The hip joint angle at heel contact and toe-off were greater in LS than in PS (p < 0.05). The hip and knee joint ROM were greater in LS than in PS (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on our findings, we suggest that increased walking speed had a significant effect on step length, stride length, support percentage, and lower joint ROM.