Is coordination variability using vector coding different in overground and treadmill walking and running?

Coordination variability has been linked to overuse running injuries and has been studied both on a treadmill and over-ground. It is not clear, however, if the coordination variability data from over-ground locomotion can be compared with treadmill locomotion data.

Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare coordination variability of selected lower extremity couplings at different locomotor speeds during over-ground and treadmill walking and running.

Nineteen (10 female, 9 male) healthy, recreational collegiate runners participated in this study. Each participant performed in two different conditions: over-ground and on a treadmill at three walking speeds (1.2, 1.6, and 2.0 m•s^-1) and three running speeds (2.8, 3.2, and 3.6 m•s^-1). A modified vector coding technique was used to calculate coordination variability for five selected coupled segment and joint angles. Each of the segmental couples was analyzed separately using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA (Condition Χ Speed) implemented with one-dimensional statistical parametric mapping.

While no interaction effects were observed for condition X speed, we saw increased coordination variability in the sagittal couples during overground compared with treadmill locomotion, which predominantly occurred during the stance phase. There were mixed results for changes in coordination variability as a function of gait speed. However, for the sagital plane couplings, coordination variability decreased with speed, particularly during the stance phase.

These results suggest that the controlled belt speed of the treadmill affects the intrinsic dynamics of human movement and this should be considered when making comparisons between treadmill and over-ground studies and in future study designs.