Biomechanics of overground vs. treadmill walking in healthy individuals

Abstract

The goal of this study was to compare treadmill walking with overground walking in healthy subjects with no known gait disorders. Nineteen subjects were tested, where each subject walked on a split-belt instrumented treadmill as well as over a smooth, flat surface. Comparisons between walking conditions were made for temporal gait parameters such as step length and cadence, leg kinematics, joint moments and powers, and muscle activity. Overall, very few differences were found in temporal gait parameters or leg kinematics between treadmill and overground walking. Conversely, sagittal plane joint moments were found to be quite different, where during treadmill walking trials, subjects demonstrated less dorsiflexor moments, less knee extensor moments, and greater hip extensor moments. Joint powers in the sagittal plane were found to be similar at the ankle but quite different at the knee and hip joints. Differences in muscle activity were observed between the two walking modalities, particularly in the tibialis anterior throughout stance, and in the hamstrings, vastus medialis and adductor longus during swing. While differences were observed in muscle activation patterns, joint moments and joint powers between the two walking modalities, the overall patterns in these behaviors were quite similar. From a therapeutic perspective, this suggests that training individuals with neurological injuries on a treadmill appears to be justified.

Tibial impacts and muscle activation during walking, jogging and running when performed overground, and on motorised and non-motorised treadmills

“…This is contrary to previous studies, where up to 130% larger RF EMG values were reported during the MT condition while walking [3,4,5]. These differences are possibly due to walkway limitations (< 8 m), an elliptical walkway or inconsistent footwear.…”

“…Several studies have compared motorised treadmill vs overground locomotion to examine kinematics [1], ground reaction forces [2] and muscular activation differences [3,4,5]. Similarly, non-motorised treadmill and overground locomotion have been compared for 5000 m performance time, electromyography (EMG), blood lactate, oxygen uptake kinetics, heart rate [6], maximal sprinting performance [7] and 6-minute walk distance [8] that have all highlighted dissimilarities between the conditions which could affect the mechanical loading environment and also the musculoskeletal adaptations generated by different locomotion conditions.…”

Effect of Treadmill Gait Training on Diplegic Children Swing Phase Gait Parameters

“…Moreover, over ground gait velocity increased post adaptation due to increased stride length and decreased stride duration after Motor adaptation during treadmill walking [20]. Lee and Hidler results also suggested that when neurologically impaired individuals walk on a treadmill, they modify their muscle activation patterns and subsequently joint moments and powers [21].…”

The effectiveness of walking as an intervention for low back pain: a systematic review

“…Such differences include shorter step lengths, higher cadence and a shorter swing phase on treadmill compared to over-ground walking and subjects not receiving the same visual stimulation possibly altering balance strategies [26,39]. Although these differences may affect walking outcomes for LBP, this requires further research.…”