Article

Locomotor balance control mechanisms and impairments have been well described in
the literature. In contrast, the role of evidence-based motor learning strategies
in the recovery or restoration of locomotor balance control has received much
less attention. Little is known about the efficacy of motor learning strategies
to improve locomotor tasks and their unique requirements, such as lateral balance
control. This study examined whether gradual versus sudden training influenced
lateral balance control among unimpaired adults (n=16) during training and 24-h
transfer performance of a novel locomotor task. This was accomplished by
examining the variability of whole-body frontal plane kinematics throughout
training and 24-h transfer performance of asymmetric split-belt treadmill
walking. Compared to sudden training, gradual training significantly reduced the
challenge to lateral balance control (exhibited by a reduction in frontal plane
kinematic variability) during training and during subsequent transfer task
performance. These results indicate that gradual training could play an important
role in restoring locomotor balance control during physical rehabilitation.
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Langue : ANGLAIS