Characteristics of physiological data during asymmetric gait of healthy subjects using a two-belt treadmill

BACKGROUND: Mobile rehabilitation systems for patients with gait disorder are being developed. Safety functions to prevent patients from falling are considered during product development; however, few studies have been conducted on systems that have been prevalidated for healthy adults prior to application to patients. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the characteristics of lower extremity muscles and foot pressure in healthy adults during unbalanced walking with differences in the speed of left and right speed using a two-belt treadmill. METHODS: Twenty subjects performed gait motions with a difference in the weight support conditions (0% and 30%) and the left and right lower limb speeds (1–3 km/h). Each subject’s muscular activities and foot pressure signals were collected. The gait patterns of the faster side exhibit similar characteristics to the paralyzed leg, and the slower side is similar to the non-paralyzed leg. RESULTS: Weight-supporting healthy subjects showed asymmetric gait patterns, similar to hemiplegic patients, because of the difference in the speed of the left and right side. CONCLUSIONS: The quantitative results can be used to develop a training protocol for two-belt treadmills with differently controlled left and right speeds for gait rehabilitation in hemiplegic patients.