A Low Cost Bodyweight Support System to Improve Gait The - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

A Low Cost Bodyweight Support System to Improve Gait

The AccesSportAmerica Gait/Walk Trainer

Jessica Ventura, PhD Spencer Roffee, BS Ross Lilley, CPT, Executive Director Katherine Roberts, EdD, MPH Ann Charrette, PT, DPT, MS, PCS, NCS

Background

• AccesSportAmerica adapts sports and trains people living with disabilities

toward higher function since 1995.

• Sports inspire individuals and families to see themselves as compelling

athletes – driving them to train for high function.

• In 20 years of training, nothing improved gait like perfect form, weight

supported gait training on a treadmill.

Other Gait Training Methods

Manual Method

• Hand over hand manipulation with therapists

sitting on side of treadmill.

• Fatiguing and imprecise correction of gait.
• Staff intensive.

The Lokomat

• High-tech solution to correct form during weight

supported gait training on a treadmill

• But, Expensive!

AccesSportAmerica Gait/Walk Trainer

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20170281999A1

AccesSportAmerica Gait/Walk Trainer

• Offers perfect form with variable stride length,

hip/knee flexion, and adjustable ankle rotation.

• Requires only one monitoring trainer who can

also pedal to influence gait.

• Inexpensive – under $5000 so individuals have

access for 3-4 times/week.

• Versatile – users can walk and even run safely.
• Athletes can train for over an hour at time for

benefits of conditioning and improving function.

Gait Study

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects that training on the ASA Gait/Walk Trainer has on walking speed and joint range of motion.

Participants

• Our gym consists of 4 Gait/Walk Trainers.
• 16 athletes with disabilities enrolled in the

study, with 11 completing it.

• Participants come with a variety disabilities:

– Hemiparesis (7) – Head Injury (3) – Cerebral Palsy (1)

• Training Frequency:

– 2 to 3 times/week – 2+ to 9 months

Testing

• 10 Meter Walk Test recorded using a webcam on a trolley
• Videos analyzed in Dartfish (3 trials per participant)

• An average 22% increase in walking speed (46% in slower walkers)
• Healthy walking speed = 1.1 m/s

Change in Walking Speed

Spatiotemporal Changes

• Increase in walking speed is largely due to decrease in step time

* * *

p=0.011 p=0.030 p=0.017

• The capacity to increase walking speed is limited by impaired hip and ankle

power generation in lower functioning persons (doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.07.010)

• No significant differences were found in joint angles after training.

Walking Mechanics

Case Study: Joey November 2017

0.29 m/s

Case Study: Joey May 2018

0.54 m/s

Case Study: Joey May 2018

Solo!

Conclusions

• The ASA GaitTrainer elicits an increase in walking speed during
• verground walking, as a result of increased cadence.
• Changes in walking technique differs between participants.

– Walking will need to be assessed in the Biomechanics Lab to assess joint power generation.

• More people with mobility disorders should have consistent

access to the ASA GaitTrainer.

– Regular exercise has a host of health benefits! – Most athletes regress during breaks in the training program.

Questions?

Regression

• Walking speeds of 6 participants

from the 2017 study who also participated in the 2018 study:

– 2017 study Ended: June 2017 – 2018 study Began: Nov 2017

• Between studies, 5 participants

regressed.

m/s June Nov 1 0.37 0.30 2 0.61 0.33 3 0.37 0.25 4 1.99 1.29 5 0.75 1.33 6 0.18 0.29 Avg 0.71 0.39