Difference in optimal walk and fastest walk: Analysis by GAITRite

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed optimal walk and fastest walk using the gait analysis system, GAITRite, and investigated the reliability of different measurement methods as well as characteristics of gender, the dominant leg and non-dominant leg. The results of gait analysis of 42 subjects (18 male, 24 female, average age 22.1 years) gave high reproducibility with an intra-class correlation coefficient greater than 0.9 in both optimal walk and fastest walk for step width, step time, walking speed and walking rate. No differences for gender were found in optimal walk, however at fastest walk significant differences were found in all indices other than step time and walking rate. With regard to the dominant leg and the non-dominant leg, no significant differences were found in any of the measurement values. These results suggest that whichever of optimal walk or fastest walk is used for gait analysis in clinical practice, a highly reproducible value will be obtained, however, in order to more accurately elaborate individual gait performance, fastest walk is superior to optimal walk.