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Published on: August 23, 2017
Biomechanical and perceived differences between overground and treadmill walking in children with cerebral palsy
Taeyou Jung1, Yumi Kim1, Luke E Kelly2
1Center of Achievement, California State University, Northridge, CA, United States.
Insights
Treadmill walking alters gait biomechanics in children with cerebral palsy (CP), affecting speed, stride, and joint movements. These differences impact how children with CP perceive and perform walking on a treadmill versus overground.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
Background:
- Treadmills are common tools for gait analysis and rehabilitation.
- Understanding gait differences between overground and treadmill walking is crucial for effective interventions in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare biomechanical variables during overground and treadmill walking in children with CP.
- To investigate perceived differences in walking speed between overground and treadmill conditions in this population.
Main Methods:
- Twenty children with CP underwent 3-D motion analysis for both overground and treadmill walking at matched speeds.
- Participants also selected comfortable and fastest walking speeds under each condition to assess perceived differences.
Main Results:
- Treadmill walking resulted in higher cadence and shorter stride length compared to overground walking.
- Significant differences in joint kinematics were observed, including increased peak joint angles and excursions for the ankle, knee, and hip, and decreased pelvic rotation on the treadmill.
- Children with CP selected significantly slower comfortable and fastest walking speeds on the treadmill than overground.
Conclusions:
- Biomechanical and perceived differences exist between overground and treadmill walking in children with CP.
- These disparities must be considered when utilizing treadmills for gait assessment or therapeutic interventions in this population.
Abstract:
The treadmill is widely used as an instrument for gait training and analysis. The primary purpose of this study was to compare biomechanical variables between overground and treadmill walking in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Perceived differences between the two walking modes were also investigated by comparing self-selected walking speeds. Twenty children with CP performed both overground and treadmill walking at a matched speed for biomechanical comparison using a 3-D motion analysis system. In addition, they were asked to select comfortable and fastest walking speeds under each walking condition to compare perceived differences. Significant differences in spatiotemporal variables were found including higher cadence and shorter stride length during treadmill walking at a matched speed (for all, P<.003). The comparison of joint kinematics demonstrated significant differences between overground and treadmill walking, which showed increases in peak angles of ankle dorsi-flexion, knee flexion/extension, and hip flexion (for all, P<.001), increases in ankle and hip excursions and a decrease in pelvic rotation excursion while walking on treadmill (for all, P<.002). Comparison of perceived difference revealed that children with CP chose significantly slower speeds when asked to select their comfortable and fastest walking speeds on the treadmill as compared to overground (for both, P<.001). Our results suggest that these biomechanical and perceived differences should be considered when using a treadmill for gait intervention or assessment.
