Comparison of the inertial properties and forces required to initiate movement for three gait trainers

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inertial properties and forces required to initiate movement on two different surfaces in a sample of three commonly prescribed gait trainers. Tests were conducted in a laboratory setting to compare the Prime Engineering KidWalk, Rifton Pacer, and Snug Seat Mustang with and without a weighted anthropometric test dummy configured to the weight and proportions of a 4-year-old child. The Pacer was the lightest and the KidWalk the heaviest while footprints of the three gait trainers were similar. Weight was borne fairly evenly on the four casters of the Pacer and Mustang while 85% of the weight was borne on the large wheels of the mid-wheel drive KidWalk. These differences in frame style, wheel, and caster style and overall mass impact inertial properties and forces required to initiate movement. Test results suggest that initiation forces on tile were equivalent for the Pacer and KidWalk while the Mustang had the highest initiation force. Initiation forces on carpet were lowest for the KidWalk and highest for the Mustang. This initial study of inertia and movement initiation forces may provide added information for clinicians to consider when selecting a gait trainer for their clients.

KEYWORDS:

• assistive devices
• children with physical disabilities
• mobility
• neuromotor disorder
• physical disability

Acknowledgments

GP initiated the idea and designed and conducted the study with the assistance of SVG and MH at the Rehabilitation Engineering and Applied Research Laboratory at Georgia Institute of Technology. MH wrote the initial draft of the methods and results while SS clarified technical detail and helped refine these sections. RL wrote the initial draft of the introduction and GP wrote the initial draft of the discussion. GP and RL edited and refined the paper and converted it to a form suitable for publication.