Overhead support systems differentially affect gait analysis of overground and treadmill walking.
Thomas E Augenstein, Shekoofe Saadat, Amiya C Gupta and 4 others
PMID 40250128WHAT IT FOUND
Overhead safety harnesses significantly alter gait mechanics during overground walking, especially at faster speeds.
They have minimal impact on treadmill walking. Clinicians should use slower speeds or manual assistance when assessing overground gait with these systems.
Key findings
01The harness significantly reduced vertical and anterior-posterior ground reaction forces during overground walking, particularly affecting braking and propulsion.
02The harness had minimal effect on ground reaction forces during treadmill walking.
03Gait kinematics were altered during overground walking with the harness, showing less hip extension and reduced ankle plantarflexion.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted on uninjured young adults, so the magnitude of harness effects may differ in populations with mobility impairments or neurological conditions. Only one specific type of overhead support system was tested. One participant was excluded due to time constraints, reducing the sample size to 14.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest and stated there was no significant financial support that could have influenced the outcome.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume overhead safety systems are biomechanically neutral for all walking assessments. While they minimally affect treadmill gait, they significantly alter overground gait mechanics, especially at higher speeds, potentially confounding clinical measurements.