Comparison Of Gait Parameters Between Curved, Non-motorized Treadmills Vs. Standard Motorized Treadmills At Various Speeds

PURPOSE:Treadmill use is widespread in clinical and fitness settings due to the many advantages afforded for rehabilitation and general exercise training. Types of treadmills include: the traditional motorized treadmill, the non-motorized treadmill, and the non-motorized curved treadmill. Walking and running on these different types of treadmills is believed to elicit different lower extremity kinematics and temporal-spatial gait adaptions responses, but these comparative data do not exist in one comprehensive investigation. Understanding the root causes of these biomechanical variables across different types of widely used treadmills can provide greater insight guiding their use in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to establish if differences exist in select lower extremity joint kinematics (hip flexion, hip abduction, hip rotation, pelvic obliquity, knee flexion, ankle dorsiflexion) and temporal gait variables (stance time, gait cadence), between walking and running on a curved, nonmotorized treadmill and a standard motorized treadmill. METHODS:Thirty-three apparently healthy, pain free subjects (age range 18-45) participated in this study. Select LE joint kinematics and temporal gait variables were measured using a 10-camera motion capture system. Participants performed one 1-minute trial at three, four, five, and six miles per hour on both a standard, motorized treadmill and curved, non-motorized treadmill with a 5-minute break between each. Data were analyzed using a factorial multivariate analysis of variance model. RESULTS:Significant increases in LE joint kinematics and temporal variables were observed between each speed (P < 0.05). With respect to treadmill type, differences were observed for increased ankle dorsiflexion, pelvic obliquity, and cadence. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that gait speed had a greater effect on the biomechanical variables measured compared to treadmill type. These data may assist clinicians in choosing treadmill type that best fits the circumstances of their patient with respect to gait training.