The influence of body weight support on ankle mechanics during treadmill walking

The use of body weight support (BWS) systems during locomotor retraining has become routine in clinical settings. BWS alters load receptor feedback, however, and may alter the biomechanical role of the ankle plantarflexors, influencing gait. The purpose of this study was to characterize the biomechanical adaptations that occur as a result of a change in limb load (controlled indirectly through BWS) and gait speed during treadmill locomotion. Fifteen unimpaired participants underwent gait analysis with surface electromyography while walking on an instrumented dual-belt treadmill at seven different speeds (ranging from 0.4 to 1.6m/s) and three BWS conditions (ranging from 0% to 40% BWS). While walking, spatiotemporal measures, anterior/posterior ground reaction forces, and ankle kinetics and muscle activity were measured and compared between conditions. At slower gait speeds, propulsive forces and ankle kinetics were unaffected by changing BWS; however, at gait speeds ≥ approximately 0.8m/s, an increase in BWS yielded reduced propulsive forces and diminished ankle plantarflexor moments and powers. Muscle activity remained unaltered by changing BWS across all gait speeds. The use of BWS could provide the advantage of faster walking speeds with the same push-off forces as required of a slower speed. While the use of BWS at slower speeds does not appear to detrimentally affect gait, it may be important to reduce BWS as participants progress with training, to encourage maximal push-off forces. The reduction in plantarflexor kinetics at higher speeds suggests that the use of BWS in higher functioning individuals may impair the ability to relearn walking.