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Can we share data? - Kinematic consistency during walking in three different treadmill-based laboratories.
Anke Van Bladel1, Rachel Senden2, Kenneth Meijer3
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Gait & Posture
|July 9, 2025
Summary
Inter-laboratory consistency of lower-limb kinematics from treadmill-based gait analysis is high, with minimal clinically relevant differences observed. Standardized operator protocols are essential for reliable data sharing across different gait laboratories.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Gait Analysis
- Clinical Motion Analysis
Background:
- Three-dimensional gait analysis is vital for diagnosing and planning treatments.
- Treadmill-based systems efficiently collect extensive 3D gait data.
- Sharing data across laboratories could significantly enhance clinical utility, but consistency is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the consistency of lower-limb kinematics in healthy subjects across three different treadmill-based gait laboratories.
- To determine if data collected in separate laboratories is comparable for clinical use.
Main Methods:
- Eighteen healthy volunteers walked on treadmills in three different laboratories within a week.
- Standardized conditions included identical marker-sets, clothing, shoes, and virtual reality setups.
- Statistical Parametric Mapping compared lower-limb kinematic curves, with clinically meaningful differences defined as >5° RMSD.
Main Results:
- Kinematic curves showed similar patterns across all laboratories.
- Only 17% of kinematic curves exhibited clinically relevant differences.
- Minor differences were noted in knee flexion (Lab 2) and hip flexion (Lab 3 vs. Lab 2 and Lab 1).
Conclusions:
- Treadmill-based gait laboratories demonstrate high consistency in measuring lower-limb kinematics.
- Observed differences are likely attributable to operator protocols, not measurement systems.
- Inter-laboratory data sharing is feasible with essential training to align protocols.
