STEP WIDTH, GLUTEUS MEDIUS ACTIVATION AND POSTURAL SWAY RESPONSES TO A NOVEL GAIT TREATMENT: A PILOT STUDY

Authors

Maddison G. Misiak, Northern Michigan UniversityFollow
Stacy E. Ruotsala, Northern Michigan UniversityFollow
Olivia D. Perrin, Northern Michigan UniversityFollow
Sarah Breen, Northern Michigan UniversityFollow

Category

Rehabilitation

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

The current study explored the acute effect of a novel rehabilitative device (NewGait™) on several interrelated variables associated with gait. Participants completed an eight-minute walking treatment wearing the NewGait™. Postural sway (center of pressure velocity), step width, and gluteus medius (GM) muscle activity were measured before during and after the treatment. No significant changes were noted in step width or GM activity during the treatment. Step width narrowed significantly after the treatment (p=0.02) and postural sway improved in the eyes open condition (p=0.02). These results indicate gait changes in healthy participant’s following use of the NewGait™ device. However, due to the acute nature of this investigation, it is unclear if balance improvements noted are due to the walking activity alone or walking while wearing the NewGait™ device.

Recommended Citation

Misiak, Maddison G.; Ruotsala, Stacy E.; Perrin, Olivia D.; and Breen, Sarah (2020) "STEP WIDTH, GLUTEUS MEDIUS ACTIVATION AND POSTURAL SWAY RESPONSES TO A NOVEL GAIT TREATMENT: A PILOT STUDY," ISBS Proceedings Archive: Vol. 38: Iss. 1, Article 209.
Available at: https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol38/iss1/209