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Long range correlations in the stride interval of running
Kimberlee Jordan1, John H Challis, Karl M Newell
1Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, 266 Recreation Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. kxj12@psu.edu
Gait & Posture
|September 27, 2005
Summary
Human gait analysis reveals long-range correlations in stride intervals during walking. Running stride intervals also show these correlations, with optimal patterns observed at preferred speeds for adaptive locomotion control.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human locomotion analysis
- Dynamical systems theory
Background:
- Human walking stride intervals exhibit long-range correlations, not random fluctuations.
- These correlations in gait suggest underlying complex control mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of long-range correlations in the stride interval time series during running.
- To determine how running speed affects these correlations and stride variability.
Main Methods:
- Recreational female runners performed 8-minute running trials at various speeds (preferred, +/- 10%, +/- 20%).
- Stride interval time series were analyzed using Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA).
- Stride time variability was quantified and assessed in relation to running speed.
Main Results:
- Stride interval variability decreased as running speed increased.
- Long-range correlations were detected in running stride intervals.
- These correlations exhibited a quasi U-shaped pattern, minimizing at the preferred running speed.
Conclusions:
- The preferred running speed appears to be optimal for gait control, maximizing available degrees of freedom.
- The findings support the hypothesis that preferred speeds facilitate adaptive control of locomotion.
- Long-range correlations in stride intervals are a fundamental characteristic of human locomotion across different speeds.