Effect of Motor-Assisted Elliptical Training Speed and Body Weight Support on Center of Pressure Movement Variability

Authors

Farahnaz Fallahtafti, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals and University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Chase M. Pfeifer, Madonna Rehabilitation HospitalsFollow
Thad W. Buster, Madonna Rehabilitation HospitalsFollow
Judith M. Burnfield, Madonna Rehabilitation HospitalsFollow

Date of this Version

9-2020

Citation

Gait & Posture 81 (September 2020), pp. 138–143.

doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.07.018

Comments

Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. Used by permission.

Abstract

Background: A motor-assisted elliptical trainer is being used clinically to help individuals with physical disabilities regain and/or retain walking ability and cardiorespiratory fitness. Unknown is how the device’s training parameters can be used to optimize movement variability and regularity. This study examined the effect of motor-assisted elliptical training speed as well as body weight support (BWS) on center of pressure (CoP) movement variability and regularity during training. Methods: CoP was recorded using in-shoe pressure insoles as participants motor-assisted elliptical trained at three speeds (20, 40, and 60 cycles per minute) each performed at four BWS levels (0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%). Separate two-way repeated measures ANOVAs (3 × 4) evaluated impact of training speed and BWS on linear variability (standard deviation) and nonlinear regularity (sample entropy) of CoP excursion (anterior-posterior, medial-lateral) for 10 dominant limb strides. Findings: Training speed and BWS did not significantly affect the linear variability of CoP in the anterior-posterior or medial-lateral directions. However, sample entropy in both directions revealed the main effect of training speed (p < 0.0001), and a main effect of BWS was observed in the medial-lateral direction (p = 0.004). Faster training speeds and greater levels of BWS resulted in more irregular CoP patterns. Interpretation: The finding that speed and BWS can be used to manipulate CoP movement variability when using a motor-assisted elliptical has significant clinical implications for promoting/restoring walking capacity. Further research is required to determine the impact of motor-assisted elliptical speed and BWS manipulations on functional recovery of walking in individuals who have experienced a neurologic injury or illness.