Influence of treadmill speed selection on gait parameters compared to overground walking in subacute rehabilitation patients.
Daiki Shimotori, Keita Aimoto, Eri Otaka and 4 others
PMID 39902307WHAT IT FOUND
In 42 subacute inpatients, comfortable treadmill speed was around 70 to 80% of their overground speed.
On the treadmill they walked slower with shorter strides, kept cadence, and widened step width.
Key findings
01Most participants found 70% or 80% of their overground speed to be the most comfortable treadmill speed.
02At comfortable treadmill speed, walking speed was 0.85 m/s and stride length was 0.86 m, compared with 1.20 m/s and 1.21 m overground.
03When treadmill speed was matched to overground speed, cadence was 129 steps/min and step width was 0.17 m, compared with 119 steps/min and 0.13 m overground.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 42 patients were studied, and they had different cerebrovascular and orthopedic conditions, so the result may not apply to every subacute patient. All participants could already walk independently and use a treadmill without assistive devices, so it says nothing about patients who need walkers, rails, or more support. The study measured one session of walking. It did not test whether treadmill training improves walking or how patients adapt over time. Treadmill speeds were based on a 10-meter walk test before treadmill trials, which may have affected the matched-speed comparison, although the matched speed difference was only 0.02 m/s. The paper reports gait pattern differences, not training outcomes, so it cannot show that a 70 to 80% speed prescription makes rehabilitation more effective.
Declared interests
Funding came from JSPS KAKENHI and research funding for longevity sciences from the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that treadmill training at 70 to 80% of overground speed improves walking. The study only compared gait measurements in one session and did not test training outcomes or patients who need walking aids.