Perturbations During Gait on a Split-Belt Treadmill: A Scoping Review

Background: Humans encounter disturbances like slips, pushes, and trips while walking, mainly from external forces. Technological advances have improved methods to study these impacts on gait, with split-belt treadmills being particularly effective. This scoping review aims to examine the types of p...

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Main Authors: Katarzyna Chodkowska, Rafał Borkowski, Michalina Błażkiewicz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9852
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author Katarzyna Chodkowska
Rafał Borkowski
Michalina Błażkiewicz
author_facet Katarzyna Chodkowska
Rafał Borkowski
Michalina Błażkiewicz
author_sort Katarzyna Chodkowska
collection DOAJ
description Background: Humans encounter disturbances like slips, pushes, and trips while walking, mainly from external forces. Technological advances have improved methods to study these impacts on gait, with split-belt treadmills being particularly effective. This scoping review aims to examine the types of perturbations used during split-belt treadmill gait, explore the methods used to induce them, and consolidate current knowledge on the effects of split-belt treadmill-induced gait perturbations. Methods: The review included publications from January 2015 to May 2024, as searched via PubMed, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect. Results: The review examined 33 studies on split-belt treadmills, focusing on perturbations like slip-like, trip-like, lateral displacements, and tilts, with speed changes being the most common. Perturbations were mainly applied during initial contact. The results show that young, healthy adults adapt quickly to anticipatory and reactive adjustments, while older adults and those with neurological impairments use less efficient strategies like increased muscular co-contraction. Asymmetrical gait adaptations persist after perturbations, highlighting motor learning and the role of the central nervous system and sensory feedback. Conclusions: Despite their precision, split-belt and tilting treadmills may not fully replicate real-world walking complexities. The review highlights the strengths and limitations of split-belt treadmills, emphasizing the need to integrate diverse methods to enhance rehabilitation and improve gait stability.
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spelling doaj-art-ec8d3d74c9664ebc9e2d4f7f34a220482024-11-08T14:33:36ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-10-011421985210.3390/app14219852Perturbations During Gait on a Split-Belt Treadmill: A Scoping ReviewKatarzyna Chodkowska0Rafał Borkowski1Michalina Błażkiewicz2PhD School, The Józef Piłsudski University of Physiscal Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Rehabilitation, The Józef Piłsudski University of Physiscal Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, PolandFaculty of Rehabilitation, The Józef Piłsudski University of Physiscal Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, PolandBackground: Humans encounter disturbances like slips, pushes, and trips while walking, mainly from external forces. Technological advances have improved methods to study these impacts on gait, with split-belt treadmills being particularly effective. This scoping review aims to examine the types of perturbations used during split-belt treadmill gait, explore the methods used to induce them, and consolidate current knowledge on the effects of split-belt treadmill-induced gait perturbations. Methods: The review included publications from January 2015 to May 2024, as searched via PubMed, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect. Results: The review examined 33 studies on split-belt treadmills, focusing on perturbations like slip-like, trip-like, lateral displacements, and tilts, with speed changes being the most common. Perturbations were mainly applied during initial contact. The results show that young, healthy adults adapt quickly to anticipatory and reactive adjustments, while older adults and those with neurological impairments use less efficient strategies like increased muscular co-contraction. Asymmetrical gait adaptations persist after perturbations, highlighting motor learning and the role of the central nervous system and sensory feedback. Conclusions: Despite their precision, split-belt and tilting treadmills may not fully replicate real-world walking complexities. The review highlights the strengths and limitations of split-belt treadmills, emphasizing the need to integrate diverse methods to enhance rehabilitation and improve gait stability.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9852perturbationsgaitsplit-belt treadmillpostural control
spellingShingle Katarzyna Chodkowska
Rafał Borkowski
Michalina Błażkiewicz
Perturbations During Gait on a Split-Belt Treadmill: A Scoping Review
Applied Sciences
perturbations
gait
split-belt treadmill
postural control
title Perturbations During Gait on a Split-Belt Treadmill: A Scoping Review
title_full Perturbations During Gait on a Split-Belt Treadmill: A Scoping Review
title_fullStr Perturbations During Gait on a Split-Belt Treadmill: A Scoping Review
title_full_unstemmed Perturbations During Gait on a Split-Belt Treadmill: A Scoping Review
title_short Perturbations During Gait on a Split-Belt Treadmill: A Scoping Review
title_sort perturbations during gait on a split belt treadmill a scoping review
topic perturbations
gait
split-belt treadmill
postural control
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9852
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AT rafałborkowski perturbationsduringgaitonasplitbelttreadmillascopingreview
AT michalinabłazkiewicz perturbationsduringgaitonasplitbelttreadmillascopingreview