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Faculty of Medical Sciences

Saving effects of Locomotor adaptation and energy cost after repeated split belt exposure

Berg, P. van den (Pim) (2017) Saving effects of Locomotor adaptation and energy cost after repeated split belt exposure. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.

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Abstract

Introduction: Locomotor adaptation is a major subject in Human Movement Sciences. Gait adaptation can be studied with a split belt treadmill, on which velocity of one leg is faster than the other during walking. In this way, asymmetrical gait is forced upon the subjects. Healthy humans are able to adapt and de-adapt within a few minutes. The majority of split-belt studies focuses on the change of step parameters during a single session of split belt walking. A few studies have focused on the long term effects of split belt walking and the role of energy cost during split belt walking. This study focuses whether the optimization of spatiotemporal parameters(step length ratio, double support ratio and step width) and energy cost(net energy cost) is reached earlier after re-exposure compared to initial exposure(saving effects). Furthermore the relation between the optimization in spatiotemporal parameters and optimization in energy cost is studied. Methods: Eight healthy adults were exposed to repeated split belt walking. Ground reaction forces and oxygen consumption were measured to determine step length ratio, double support ratio, step width and net energy cost. Results: Significant saving effects(P<.05) for gait during adaptation(smaller PMag for step length ratio and double support ratio) and de-adaptation(smaller RvPMag for step length ratio and double support ratio) were found. No significant saving effect(P>.05) for energy cost and step width were found during adaptation(no change in PMag) and de-adaptation(no change in RvPMag). No relations were found between the change in motor parameters on the one hand and the change in energy cost on the other hand, during initial exposure and re-exposure. Discussion: Saving effects were found for the optimization of symmetrical gait, while no saving effects were found for step width and energy cost after repeated split belt exposure. In general this study shows that motor optimization of gait is an independent process from optimization of energy cost.

Item Type: Thesis (UNSPECIFIED)
Supervisor name: Otter, dr. A.R. den
Faculty: Medical Sciences
Date Deposited: 04 May 2022 08:50
Last Modified: 04 May 2022 08:50
URI: https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3220

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