Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

The Effect of a Curved Non-Motorized treadmill on Running Gait Length, Imbalance and Step Angle

Version 1 : Received: 4 June 2018 / Approved: 5 June 2018 / Online: 5 June 2018 (13:04:21 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Hatchett, A.; Armstrong, K.; Parr, B.; Crews, M.; Tant, C. The Effect of a Curved Non-Motorized Treadmill on Running Gait Length, Imbalance and Stride Angle. Sports 2018, 6, 58. Hatchett, A.; Armstrong, K.; Parr, B.; Crews, M.; Tant, C. The Effect of a Curved Non-Motorized Treadmill on Running Gait Length, Imbalance and Stride Angle. Sports 2018, 6, 58.

Abstract

Running on a non-motorized, curved-deck treadmill is thought to improve gait mechanics. It is not known, though, if the change in gait carries over to running on a motorized treadmill or level ground. To determine the effect of running on a curved non-motorized treadmill (CNT) on gait characteristics measured during a subsequent bout of running on a traditional motorized treadmill (TMT). Sixteen healthy college-aged participants, age (mean±SD) 20.4±1.6 years volunteered to have their gait analyzed while running on a TMT and CNT. After familiarization and warm-up on both treadmills, each subject completed five, 4-minute bouts of running alternating between traditional motorized and curved non-motorized treadmills: TMT-1, CNT-1, TMT-2, CNT-2, and TMT-3. Variables of interest included step length (m), stride length (m), imbalance score (%), and step angle (°) and were measured using Optogait gait analysis equipment. Differences in gait char acteristics among TMT-1, TMT-2, and TMT-3 can be attributed to running on the CNT. The results show that running on a CNT resulted in significant changes in gait characteristics. These findings suggest that running on a CNT can significantly alter gait characteristics may result in improvements in running gait that persist to subsequent running on a TMT.

Keywords

treadmill; curved; running gait; imbalance; step angle; stride length; step length

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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