Propulsive Force Modulation Drives Split-Belt Treadmill Adaptation in People with Multiple Sclerosis
Most people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) experience significant gait asymmetries between their legs during walking, leading to an increased risk of falls. Split-belt treadmill training, where the speed of each limb is controlled independently, alters each leg’s stepping pattern and can improve gai...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-02-01
|
| Series: | Sensors |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/4/1067 |
| _version_ | 1797297045399142400 |
|---|---|
| author | Andrew C. Hagen Christopher M. Patrick Isaac E. Bast Brett W. Fling |
| author_facet | Andrew C. Hagen Christopher M. Patrick Isaac E. Bast Brett W. Fling |
| author_sort | Andrew C. Hagen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Most people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) experience significant gait asymmetries between their legs during walking, leading to an increased risk of falls. Split-belt treadmill training, where the speed of each limb is controlled independently, alters each leg’s stepping pattern and can improve gait symmetry in PwMS. However, the biomechanical mechanisms of this adaptation in PwMS remain poorly understood. In this study, 32 PwMS underwent a 10 min split-belt treadmill adaptation paradigm with the more affected (MA) leg moving twice as fast as the less affected (LA) leg. The most noteworthy biomechanical adaptation observed was increased peak propulsion asymmetry between the limbs. A kinematic analysis revealed that peak dorsiflexion asymmetry and the onset of plantarflexion in the MA limb were the primary contributors to the observed increases in peak propulsion. In contrast, the joints in the LA limb underwent only immediate reactive adjustments without subsequent adaptation. These findings demonstrate that modulation during gait adaptation in PwMS occurs primarily via propulsive forces and joint motions that contribute to propulsive forces. Understanding these distinct biomechanical changes during adaptation enhances our grasp of the rehabilitative impact of split-belt treadmill training, providing insights for refining therapeutic interventions aimed at improving gait symmetry. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:14:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-08d613d92d454ee88ffbf3aa81d831cb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:14:35Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-08d613d92d454ee88ffbf3aa81d831cb2024-02-23T15:33:29ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202024-02-01244106710.3390/s24041067Propulsive Force Modulation Drives Split-Belt Treadmill Adaptation in People with Multiple SclerosisAndrew C. Hagen0Christopher M. Patrick1Isaac E. Bast2Brett W. Fling3Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1582, USADepartment of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1582, USADepartment of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1582, USADepartment of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1582, USAMost people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) experience significant gait asymmetries between their legs during walking, leading to an increased risk of falls. Split-belt treadmill training, where the speed of each limb is controlled independently, alters each leg’s stepping pattern and can improve gait symmetry in PwMS. However, the biomechanical mechanisms of this adaptation in PwMS remain poorly understood. In this study, 32 PwMS underwent a 10 min split-belt treadmill adaptation paradigm with the more affected (MA) leg moving twice as fast as the less affected (LA) leg. The most noteworthy biomechanical adaptation observed was increased peak propulsion asymmetry between the limbs. A kinematic analysis revealed that peak dorsiflexion asymmetry and the onset of plantarflexion in the MA limb were the primary contributors to the observed increases in peak propulsion. In contrast, the joints in the LA limb underwent only immediate reactive adjustments without subsequent adaptation. These findings demonstrate that modulation during gait adaptation in PwMS occurs primarily via propulsive forces and joint motions that contribute to propulsive forces. Understanding these distinct biomechanical changes during adaptation enhances our grasp of the rehabilitative impact of split-belt treadmill training, providing insights for refining therapeutic interventions aimed at improving gait symmetry.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/4/1067propulsionsplit-belt treadmillmultiple sclerosismotor adaptationgait asymmetry |
| spellingShingle | Andrew C. Hagen Christopher M. Patrick Isaac E. Bast Brett W. Fling Propulsive Force Modulation Drives Split-Belt Treadmill Adaptation in People with Multiple Sclerosis Sensors propulsion split-belt treadmill multiple sclerosis motor adaptation gait asymmetry |
| title | Propulsive Force Modulation Drives Split-Belt Treadmill Adaptation in People with Multiple Sclerosis |
| title_full | Propulsive Force Modulation Drives Split-Belt Treadmill Adaptation in People with Multiple Sclerosis |
| title_fullStr | Propulsive Force Modulation Drives Split-Belt Treadmill Adaptation in People with Multiple Sclerosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Propulsive Force Modulation Drives Split-Belt Treadmill Adaptation in People with Multiple Sclerosis |
| title_short | Propulsive Force Modulation Drives Split-Belt Treadmill Adaptation in People with Multiple Sclerosis |
| title_sort | propulsive force modulation drives split belt treadmill adaptation in people with multiple sclerosis |
| topic | propulsion split-belt treadmill multiple sclerosis motor adaptation gait asymmetry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/24/4/1067 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT andrewchagen propulsiveforcemodulationdrivessplitbelttreadmilladaptationinpeoplewithmultiplesclerosis AT christophermpatrick propulsiveforcemodulationdrivessplitbelttreadmilladaptationinpeoplewithmultiplesclerosis AT isaacebast propulsiveforcemodulationdrivessplitbelttreadmilladaptationinpeoplewithmultiplesclerosis AT brettwfling propulsiveforcemodulationdrivessplitbelttreadmilladaptationinpeoplewithmultiplesclerosis |