Test-retest reliability of temporal and spatial gait characteristics at preferred walking velocity measured by Intelligent Device for Energy Expenditure and Activity (IDEEA)

The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of temporal and spatial gait measurements of individual’s preferred walking velocity over a one-week period as measured using an Intelligent Device for Energy Expenditure and Activity (IDEEA). Nineteen healthy volunteers participated in this study. The group consisted of 7 men and 12 women, with an average age of 26 years (range: 21-56 years). Subjects were tested on two occasions one week apart. The gait measurements were made in field walking trials as well as in laboratory trials on treadmill using the IDEEA. The results (Table 1) revealed that ICC’s for all gait measurements in the treadmill trials were higher than that in the field. The preferred walking velocity was proven to be highly reproducible in the treadmill (ICC=0.82) and the field trials (ICC=0.74). Reliability for the step frequency at the preferred velocity was quite high for both conditions (Table 1). Reliability for step length was moderate. In conclusion, the gait measurement investigated in this study demonstrated good to excellent test-retest reliability in the healthy adult population, and the best results as recorded by the IDEEA was the step frequency on the treadmill while other measurements might be affected by multiple factors that should be considered in interpretation of the results.