Real-time feedback as a method of monitoring walking velocity during gait analysis

When quantifying the mechanics of gait, it is important to ensure that subjects maintain a consistent walking velocity during gait analysis trials. Most methods of measuring walking velocity do not produce data until after the subject has completed the trial. This often results in discarding completed trials from analysis because the subject's velocity was not within an acceptable range. Real-time feedback of position data can be used to help subjects adjust their walking velocity during the trial, when necessary. Results from 14 subjects who participated in gait analysis using real-time feedback to monitor their walking velocity show that they Were able to stay within an acceptable range of their target walking velocities (each subject's preferred velocity and 150% of their preferred velocity) during 90% and 80% of trials, respectively. This method allows for accurate and efficient data collections without the use of additional equipment. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.