[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate how the speed alteration task, which gradually increases or conversely decreases walking speed, affected walking stability. [Participants and Methods] Thirteen healthy young adults performed two walking tasks as follows: the speed alteration task, in which the walking speed was gradually increased or decreased, and the speed constant task, in which the walking speed was maintained at a comfortable level. Before and after each task, the Timed Up and Go test was performed to analyze time, walking speed, and trajectory. The overall score of the Timed Up and Go test, as well as the scores of the three major segments (i.e., forward, turning around, and return), and nine subsegments, were calculated and analyzed. [Results] During the speed alteration task, parameters including time and walking speed of the Timed Up and Go test were significantly improved. Also, the same parameters increased significantly in the forward and return segments. These increases were also observed in the first subsegment of the forward segment and the second subsegment of the return segment. [Conclusion] The speed alteration task improved walking stability, so it could be used in gait training to improve walking stability.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.