Reproducibility of spatio-temporal and dynamic parameters in various, daily occurring, turning conditions

Objective: This study aims to assess the test-retest reproducibility of specific spatio-temporal (foot placement, foot contact time) and dynamic (resultant horizontal and vertical ground reaction force) gait parameters of three different, everyday occurring, turning conditions. The subjects were tested at two subsequent days. Out of this setting the purpose of this study is to clarify, if turning locomotion is stable when performed at different test occurrences.

Methods: Eight subjects completed three different daily occurring turning conditions along turns with a given walking velocity of 5 km/h (± 10%). Subjects had to complete the turns three times clockwise and counter clockwise. The measurements were recorded with a 3D motion analysis system (Vicon(®)) and two force sensitive platforms (AMTI(®)), connected to the motion analysis system.

Results: The analysis yields for most of the parameters and turning conditions ICCs from good (r = 0.72; p = .06) to high (r = 0.96; p < .01) magnitude for the measured spatio-temporal and dynamic parameters.

Conclusions: Based on our findings it can be assumed that locomotion strategies, related to the measured gait parameters of common daily turning tasks, are stable and reproducible.