Step length and width variability while walking on a motion simulator mounted treadmill

While devices which allow scientists to perturb normal walking are becoming increasingly common, postural adaptations to these perturbations have not been fully quantified. One way to quantify postural responses to perturbations are through the assessment of variability of step length and width. In the present study we determined variability of both step length and width while subjects walked under perturbations of varying amplitude in roll, pitch, yaw, anteroposterior, lateral, and combined roll, pitch, yaw directions. Step kinematics were quantified using motion analysis. The majority of changes in step length variability occurred in Pitch (p<0.01), mediolateral (p<0.05) and anteroposterior (p<0.01) directions. Changes in step width variability were most apparent in combined Roll-Pitch-Yaw (p<0.01) as well as Roll (p<0.05), and Yaw (p<0.05) directions. These data demonstrate that sinusoidal perturbations while walking on a treadmill are sufficient to disrupt normal postural control. These conditions therefore may be useful in constructing rehabilitation programs to improve dynamic balance.