Meaningful measurements of maneuvers: People with incomplete spinal cord injury ‘step up’ to the challenges of altered stability requirements

This study examines how people with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) maintain stability during walking maneuvers compared to individuals without iSCI. They tested participants on a treadmill, having them perform lateral 'lane change' maneuvers under different force field conditions. Lateral force fields applied to the participants’ center of mass either amplified or attenuated their movements, creating varying challenges to stability. Researchers then analyzed metrics of stability, step width, and center of mass dynamics to understand maneuver stabilization strategies in people with iSCI. The study found that people with iSCI generally adapted to the force fields with increased stability, mainly by increasing step width and reducing center of mass excursion when starting a maneuver. However, they had reduced stability when stopping a maneuver in the amplified field.

• 1
  Persons with iSCI generally adapted to amplified and attenuated force fields with increased stability compared to persons without iSCI, particularly using increased step width and reduced center of mass excursion on maneuver initiation.
• 2
  In the amplified field, persons with iSCI had a reduced ­MOSmin when terminating a maneuver, likely due to the challenge of the force field opposing the necessary lateral braking.
• 3
  Persons without iSCI were more likely to rely on or oppose the force field when appropriate for movement execution.