Alterations in gait dynamics in health and disease: Are they independent of gait speed?

J. M. Hausdorff*, M. E. Cudkowicz, C. K. Peng, A. L. Goldberger

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

A typical feature of many gait disorders is reduced walking speed. More subtle properties of gait rhythm may also be altered. We hypothesized that, independent of gait speed, gait dynamics may provide prognostic and diagnostic utility and offer insight into underlying control mechanisms. To test this hypothesis, we quantified the gait dynamics of healthy controls and subjects with Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We then studied the relationship among three different aspects of gait: a) gait speed and rhythm (stride time), b) the magnitude of the fluctuations in gait rhythm, and c) three measures of fluctuation dynamics. Results: 1) Gait speed, average stride time and stride time variability (fluctuation magnitude) were highly correlated (p<.0001) with each other. However, much of the variance in each measure was not explained by the association with the other (i.e., r≪1.0). 2) Similarly, the three measures of fluctuation dynamics were significantly correlated with each other (p<.0001), but were not entirely redundant. 3) The three measures of fluctuation dynamics were independent of gait speed or stride time.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings
PublisherIEEE
Pages586
Number of pages1
ISBN (Print)0780356756
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes
EventProceedings of the 1999 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology 21st Annual Conference and the 1999 Fall Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society (1st Joint BMES / EMBS) - Atlanta, GA, USA
Duration: 13 Oct 199916 Oct 1999

Publication series

NameAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings
Volume1
ISSN (Print)0589-1019

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of the 1999 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology 21st Annual Conference and the 1999 Fall Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society (1st Joint BMES / EMBS)
CityAtlanta, GA, USA
Period13/10/9916/10/99

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