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Phase resetting behavior in human gait is influenced by treadmill walking speed
Jeff A Nessler1, Tavish Spargo1, Andrew Craig-Jones1
1Dept of Kinesiology, California State University, San Marcos, San Marcos, CA 92096, United States.
Gait & Posture
|October 18, 2015
Summary
Human gait phase resetting is consistent among individuals. However, walking speed influences minor variations in how gait adjusts after a perturbation, which is crucial for fall prevention.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human locomotion
- Oscillator theory
Background:
- Human gait is frequently conceptualized as a limit cycle oscillator.
- Understanding gait phase resetting is vital for fall risk reduction, yet remains underexplored.
- Perturbations necessitate gait adjustments, highlighting the importance of phase resetting properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate phase resetting in human gait.
- To assess variability in phase resetting responses among healthy individuals.
- To determine the impact of walking speed on gait phase resetting.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen healthy subjects walked on a treadmill at varying speeds (2.0, 2.5, 3.0 mph).
- Discrete mechanical perturbations were applied to the right ankle during the swing phase.
- Phase shifts in the subsequent stride were recorded to analyze resetting behavior.
Main Results:
- Phase resetting behavior demonstrated relative consistency across different subjects.
- Minor variations in phase resetting were observed due to differences in treadmill walking speeds.
- Within-subject variability was assessed through additional trials at preferred walking speeds.
Conclusions:
- Human gait phase resetting is generally consistent among healthy individuals.
- Walking speed is a factor that can introduce minor alterations in gait resetting.
- Further research into gait dynamics can inform strategies for fall prevention.
