Article

This study examined the associations between gait variability based on
common spatiotemporal parameters and energetic cost of walking in persons with
multiple sclerosis. DESIGN: Eighty-six persons with multiple sclerosis underwent
the 6-min walk while wearing a portable metabolic unit.
The cost of walking was
generated by dividing the net steady-state VO2 (milliliter per kilogram per
minute) by walking speed during the 6-min walk. Participants further completed
two trials of walking on the GAITRite mat at a self-selected pace for measuring
spatiotemporal parameters. Variability of step length, step time, stride length,
swing time, stance time, stride velocity, and single- and double-support time was
indexed by the coefficient of variation. RESULTS: Variability in the
spatiotemporal variables and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were
significantly correlated with cost of walking (i.e., rho = 0.25-0.36).
Multivariate analysis revealed that disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale:
beta = 0.186), stance time variability (beta = 1.446), and step length
variability (beta = -1.216) explained significant variance (R = 0.38, P < 0.001)
in cost of walking. CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence of the positive association
between gait variability and cost of walking during overground walking in persons
with multiple sclerosis. The findings highlight the need for interventions aiming
to reduce gait variability, thereby reducing the energetic demands of walking in
this population.

Langue : ANGLAIS