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Hi everyone,

We're looking at purchasing computer gait analysis software for the practice, and setting this up in either our hallway (14m long) or exercise/gym area (10m) long. This depends on various factors, which we are in the early stages of consideration...

Just wondering what your opinions are on the optimal walkway length for this type of assessment... And, just out of interest, what length of hallway do you typically use for gait assessment?

Regards

Donna

My hallway is about 10 m long and is fine for walking exams but is a little short for running exams. 14 m should be better for running, but I would prefer a 20 m long hallway for a proper running exam.

Hope this helps.

__________________
Sincerely,

Kevin

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Kevin A. Kirby, DPM
Adjunct Associate Professor
Department of Applied Biomechanics
California School of Podiatric Medicine at Samuel Merritt College

e-mail: kevinakirby@comcast.net

Private Practice:
107 Scripps Drive, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95825 USA
My location

Voice: (916) 925-8111 Fax: (916) 925-8136
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Hi Kevin,

Thanks for your speedy-as-always reply! That's very helpful indeed.

I think we'll be fine to set up for walking gait analysis indoors, and adapt an outdoors analysis set-up for running gait analysis. We currently use the carpark under the building for visual running gait analysis, which gives us about 30m of flat smooth concrete length on the "runway".

Regards

Donna

Hi Donna,

I have no knowledge about the optimal length of your gait analysis walkway, but I can offer you a way to evaluate the differences in walking pattern when different lengths are used.

I've created a new way to measure gait which readily shows body positions variations during walking, and how these affect the distance and direction that a person walks. There are many different facets, and the measurement paradigm is actually a universal movement analysis system which I'm applying to gait.

But, since I have no resources myself, I depend on others to provide real data. I currently have about 30 real runs using 3d markers, and they've been invaluable in fine tuning the system to account for all conditions. I have an extensive series of graphs and figures, as well as a number of secondary reference grids, which fully describe lower body movement patterns for these subjects.

Now I'd like to find data which also has the "current" procedures of analysis. I believe my measurement system is far superior, and am looking for some data to show it.

Since you are going to get gait equipment soon, this is an opportunity to be involved in front-line research right away, even as you're learning to use the gait equipment.

All I require is marker data expressed in mm (or any linear units), the heel-strike times and the inter-ASIS distance (if possible). I'll provide the full analysis according to my system, and would appreciate any results from the analysis system used by your equipment, in order to compare what each shows.

Please see my thread "The Mouck Method for Gait Analysis", but keep in mind that the articles from the internet are fairly old versions. Since then I've removed all of the original simplifications, there's been a couple of minor changes, and a great deal more analysis methodology. Also, the figures and graphs shown are a small snippet of the whole, and it may be difficult to interpret some without background knowledge.

If interested, when you get your equipment I'd be happy to discuss things further, or now even, if you like, so I can send you some current drafts of the new methods, etc. This is a very extensive new measurement system, but very intuitive, and strictly based on vector principles.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mike M