Gait Characteristics at Different Speeds in Individuals With Stroke

Plain-language summary

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of death combined with disability worldwide. Despite improved recognition and management of stroke risk factors, the risk of stroke has increased by 50% in the last two decades due to increased life expectancy, currently affecting one in every four individuals. If this trend continues, by 2030, it is estimated that 12 million people will die from stroke, and 70 million will live with its consequences. Stroke leads to significant changes in the spatiotemporal parameters of gait. Spatial parameters include step length, stride length, and step width, while temporal parameters comprise cadence, stance phase, double support phase (DSP), and swing phase. Gait speed, incorporating both spatial and temporal elements, is classified as a spatiotemporal parameter. Compared to healthy individuals, people post-stroke tend to have increased DSP and stance phases, shortened step lengths, and widened step widths. Asymmetries between the paretic and non-paretic limbs further disrupt gait symmetry. Previous studies have shown that during prolonged walking tasks such as the 6-minute walk test, both gait speed and symmetry deteriorate in the later stages, potentially due to fatigue. However, changes in walking speed itself may also influence gait symmetry. From this perspective, the aim of this study is to investigate how spatiotemporal gait parameters vary across different walking speeds in individuals with stroke.

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