• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.226-232
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• 2009

In this study, treadmill walking and overground walking were compared at the same condition based on kinematics and energy expenditures(EE). In addition, we compared the actual energy expenditure and calculated EE by treadmill. The kinematics of treadmill and overground walking were very similar. The values at each joint were significantly different(P<0.05), but magnitude of the difference was generally less than 4$^{\circ}$. In the EE using cardiopulmonary exercise, EE of treadmill walking was significantly greater when measured on the overground. It seemed to be the increased stress during the gait by the continuous movement of the belt. As the velocity increased, there was significant difference between actual EE and calculated EE by treadmill due to EE curve increasing exponentially. Therefore the further study would be required to find the correlation of the two methods and calibrate the values from them.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.883-884
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• 2008

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.120-125
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of treadmill walking in underwater and overground which affects gait and physical function of people who have had a stroke. Twenty people after a stroke who have become hemiplegic over 6 months were participated. Participants were divided into two groups: underwater treadmill group(UTG) and overground treadmill group(OTG). The intervention was done 4 times per weeks for 6 weeks and 1 session lasted for 30 minutes. Gait and physical function elements were measured at baseline, at the middle(3 weeks) and at the end of the intervention(6 weeks). For the elements of gait, walking velocity, affected stance phase, affected weight bearing were assessed. For the elements of physical function, Short Form 8(SF-8) health survey was used. The result of this study showed that both groups improved similarly in walking velocity. However participants in UTG improved more than those in OTG in affected stance phase(p<.05), affected weight bearing(p<.05) and emotional aspect(p<.001). Based on the results of this study, it can be suggested that treadmill walking both in underwater and on the ground can be effective in improving hemiplegic gait and physical function of people who have had a stroke. The result also suggest that the underwater treadmill exercise can be more effective than overground treadmill in restoration of gait in people after stroke.