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6. GAIT TRAINER OPERATION
GaIt traIner theory of operatIon
1.
Walking (gait) speed can be increased two ways: Increase step frequency (step cycle) or
increase step length.
2.
Step cycle: A successive heel strike for the same foot, i.e. Right step, left step, right step. Set
belt speed based on how many complete successive heel strikes occur within a second. .1 cycle
per second is very slow, 3 cycles per second is fast. Normal walking step cycle approximates
1 cycle per second.
3.
Step Target: A theoretical footfall area based on calculated step length. When step target dis-
tance is increased, belt moves faster as steps need to become longer. If target distance is
decreased, belt speed decreases, as steps need to become shorter.
4.
Step Length : Is a range [Leg length (cm) x .69] to [Leg length (cm) x .86]. Step Target is placed
within this range plus or minus the entered standard deviation.
5.
In Footfall display: Step length tolerence is used to prompt walker if they need to go faster on
either right or left side, or both sides. If footfalls occur within step length tolerence they are
told good job.
6.
In Histogram display: Step length tolerence is bandwidth of where step footfalls should occur.
Normal healthy walking at a comfortable pace exhibits step lengths within 3 cm.
GaIt traIner operatIon
At this point, you should be ready to begin gait training using the following procedure:
1.
Touch the screen to activate the display panel and bring up the Opening Menu touch screen.
Touch <Gait Trainer> to advance to the User Set-Up Information screen.
2.
Enter/select the required values on the User Set-Up Information screen. Touch <A/V> to
advance to the Audio/Visual Biofeedback screen.
3.
Enter/select the desired values on the Audio/Visual Biofeedback screen. Touch <Next> to
advance to the Footfalls/Histogram screen.
4.
Push <Start> to activate the treadbelt. Then increase the speed slowly to a minimum 0.3 mph
for biofeedback.
5.
Adjust the <Speed> setting to a comfortable pace for the user. Once the user is comfortable,
touch <Begin Gait Training> to begin the gait training session and record data.
Note: Treadbelt speed must be greater than .3 mph for biofeedback.
6.
Instruct the subject to follow the prompts on the screen while attempting to place each foot in
the target area displayed. The system will prompt for each foot (or both feet) to "go longer,"
"go shorter," or to continue on pace with "good job."
Note: For histogram display, the yellow line denotes the left leg, the blue line denotes the right leg.
The target range is bracketed by two green horizontal lines across the graph. Touch the magnifying glass
icon to enlarge the histogram viewing area at any time.
7.
To pause the gait training session at any time, press <Pause>. The treadbelt speed will decel-
erate slowly until stopping. To resume, touch <Resume> and then press the <L> Speed icon
to bring the speed back up to the desired level. Touch <Resume Gait Training> to begin gath-
ering data again.
8.
When the gait training session is finished, touch <End>. The treadbelt will slow gradually
until it stops.
9.
Touch <Results> to display exercise results or touch <Re-Start> to repeat the training session
(all data will be lost).
— 6-1 —
GAIT TRAINER OPERATION
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