Analysis of human walking and running parameters as a function of speed.

Recently, there has been great improvement in the field of movement analysis, which is a worldwide tendency. There is a continuous improvement of new methods, combined with traditional ones. In the last few years, we have managed to set up a modern, absolutely up-to-date motion analysis laboratory at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BUTE). The primary purpose of this study was to determine usual walking and running parameters as a function of speed and compare our results with the data of other studies. We tested the gait and running characteristics of people at different speeds, measuring the usual parameters of walking and running. On the basis of these measurements, we observed the interrelation of the three main parameters of gait and running (speed, cadence, stride length) and determined the dependence of cadence and stride length on speed as well. The determined energetically optimal walking speed (EOWS) and the usual walking speed (UWS) correlate well with the values in literature. Our measurements were performed on a running corridor, and at the facilities provided by the Biomechanical Laboratory, including an instrumented treadmill connected to the measurement system.