Predicting peak kinematic and kinetic parameters from gait speed.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess the predictability of the relationships between gait speed and common peak sagittal plane parameters in order to provide a set of reference parameter values.

DESIGN

Lower extremity biomechanical data were collected in 64 healthy adults while walking barefoot at his/her comfortable walking speed, then at self-selected fast, slow and very slow speeds. Twenty seven peak joint parameter values were plotted and regressed as a function of gait speed.

DISCUSSION

While most parameters change with increasing gait speed, in general, the kinetic parameters had better predictability than the kinematic parameters. Most of the power parameters were found to have a quadratic relationship with gait speed. Of the moment parameters, four had a linear relationship with gait speed, while four had a quadratic one. These relationships shown in the tables and graphs here can be used as a reference for 'normal' gait parameter values.