Thesis

Investigating gait adaptations to split belt treadmill walking in healthy adults

Creator
Rights statement
Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2015
Thesis identifier
  • T14228
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 201481765
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • Disability as a result of stroke is a major issue. Gait is a priority in rehabilitation, where asymmetry is a common and detrimental feature. Conventional treadmills are not able to treat this asymmetry. Recently the use of split belt (SB) treadmills has been suggested as a novel approach, SB allows each leg to travel at independent speeds. This study seeks to investigate the effects of SB gait on healthy young adults as a model for stroke patients. The study carried out motion analysis using the Motek CAREN. Subjects (n=10) were exposed to a total of 15 minutes SB in 5 and 10 minute blocks with a period of normal walking either side. Step length asymmetry and accommodation strategy was analysed. SB resulted in initial negative asymmetry, inferring a shortening of step of the leg on the fast belt (n=6) with some subjects showed a mirrored response (n=4). The asymmetry returns to baseline as subjects accommodate the novel condition. A distinct strategy was characterised, in which step length on fast belt was increased by delaying heel strike. When returned to normal walking conditions the initial asymmetry is reversed with a longer step on the fast leg. This is transient, after a short period normal walking there is a return to baseline asymmetry. Upon subsequent exposure to SB the adaption process is more rapid in adopting heel hang strategy (1st exposure 13 strides, 2nd exposure 3 strides), with significantly reduced asymmetry (p<0.001). The results show that young healthy adults can adapt to SB with distinct strategies. The improved adaption as a result of subsequent exposure suggests that there is some level of learned adaption. If applied to stroke patients, long term SB exposure may improve asymmetry and may be encouraged to adopt specific strategies to accommodate an increase in step length.
Resource Type
DOI
Date Created
  • 2015
Former identifier
  • 1248052

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