Walk Test

Table of Contents

• What is a walk test?
• Test instructions and demo
• What do the metrics mean?

What is a walk test?

The walk test is a simple test that measures small changes in lower limb movement profiles. It can be used to quantify functional mobility in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury, neurological disease, post-injury rehabilitation, and longitudinal health monitoring.

Unlike running and jumping tests, almost everyone can perform the walk test to some capacity. It provides practitioners with an objective measure of lower limb movement quality, compensation and strategies for low speed propulsion and absorption.

Walk test instructions

Start the Test

1. In plantiga.io, go to Record (left sidebar)
   1. From the Activity Type drop-down, select Walk
   2. From the Select People drop-down, select the athlete profile(s) being tested

Check for Warnings

2. It's important to resolve all warnings before starting or data may not be recorded.
3. Click Start

Calibrate

4. Instruct the athlete to stand still with both feet on the ground for 3 seconds at the start of the assessment

Perform the Test

5. Once ready, instruct the athlete to walk normally for the chosen amount of time
   1. We suggest test durations of 2 or 6 minutes

End the Test

7. Click Stop when finished
   1. (Optional) Add contextual notes
8. Choose one of the following:
   1. Done – finish and save
   2. Next – start another assessment
   3. Reset – discard the assessment

Walk test demo

What do the metrics mean?

Average Speed: the average walking speed across the test and often used clinically to measure basic functional capacity and ability

• Declines in walking speed may reflect impaired motor control

Ground contact time asymmetry: a comparison of the amount of time the left vs. right side is on the ground.

• Ground contact time asymmetries may occur as a compensation strategy during impaired movement caused by a fatigued, weaker or injured side.

Push-off asymmetry: a comparison of the left vs. right side capacity to accelerate off the ground.

• Push-off asymmetry during walking may occur when the ankle musculature and surrounding tissues on one side are fatigued, weak, or unable to produce enough force to move forwards.
• If combined with larger ground contact time asymmetry it may indicate ankle or foot pathology.

Impact asymmetry: a comparison of the ability of the left vs. right to absorb the impact when each foot lands on the ground between steps.

• Impact asymmetry may occur during stiffer or more abrupt landing on one limb compared to the other, or if a protective strategy is being used.
• If combined with larger ground contact time asymmetry on the same side, may indicate a compensatory shift of loading demands away from the affected or weaker limb.