Abstract
People walking on a split-belt treadmill, where each belt moves at a different speed, adapt step length to re-establish symmetry. However, kinematic changes that occur when re-establishing step length symmetry have not yet been clarified. This study aims to clarify the changing lower limb joint kinematics of each leg when re-establishing step length symmetry. We examined ten young adults who walked on a double-belt treadmill under symmetric and asymmetric conditions of belt velocity using a motion capture system. The results showed that the hip flexion angle at heel strike on one side was not significantly different between the symmetric and asymmetric conditions (p = 0.38) thereby demonstrating that the hip flexion angle of the leading leg re-established symmetry at heel strike (HS) of the fast and slow sides. However, the knee extension angle of the leading leg expanded asymmetrically at HS on both sides. The shank of the fast leg possibly accelerated more to move the heel further forward. The results indicated that subjects with limited knee extension function must increase their hip flexion movement of the fast-side limb to accelerate the shank in the swing phase. The present study suggests securing the range of motion and treatment of the knee extension to reduce the spasticity of hamstrings or plantarflexor before split-belt training. Moreover, split-belt training may be undesirable for improving step length symmetry in impaired subjects who are unlikely to improve the function of knee extension movement. The present study contributes toward developing a rehabilitation protocol that improves the gait asymmetry of patients through split-belt training.
Highlights
Able-bodied people show asymmetry in lower limb actions as well as laterality during bipedal locomotion [1]
The results showed that the limb, knee, and ankle angles remained asymmetric in adapted walking on a split-belt treadmill and that the hip flexion angle of the leading leg re-established symmetry
We clarified the changes in the limb angle and lower limb joint angle when re-establishing step length symmetry using a split-belt treadmill
Summary
Able-bodied people show asymmetry in lower limb actions as well as laterality (or leg dominance) during bipedal locomotion [1]. Giakas and Baltzopoulos found that substantial asymmetries characterized time domain variables in the mediolateral component of ground reaction forces [2]. Sadeghi et al reported local asymmetry between the right and left hips, knees, and ankles in the gait of able-bodied people depending on the functional task to control balance, interlimb coordination, and propulsion functions [3]. The cause of such asymmetry in able-bodied people remains unclear [1]. Gait asymmetry is commonly observed in impaired people during walking, and these are common outcome metrics in clinical rehabilitation.
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