Gait Variability and Energy Cost of Over-Ground Walking in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-sectional study

Objective This study examined the associations between gait variability based on common spatiotemporal parameters and energetic cost of walking (Cw) in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Design Eighty-six pwMS underwent the 6-minute walk (6MW) while wearing a portable metabolic unit. The Cw was generated by dividing the net steady-state VO2 (mL/kg/min) by walking speed during the 6MW. 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 (EDSS) scores were significantly correlated with Cw (i.e., (|rho|=.25 - .36). Multivariate analysis revealed that disability (EDSS; β = .186), stance time variability (β = 1.446) and step length variability (β = -1.216) explained significant variance (R2 = .38; p<.001 in cw. conclusion we provide evidence of the positive association between gait variability and cw during over-ground walking pwms. findings highlight need for interventions aiming to reduce thereby reducing energetic demands this population. corresponding author emerson sebasti department kinesiology physical education anderson hall dekalb il usa. tel.: fax: email: esebastiao funding: no funding was received work disclosure: authors declare conflict interest related work. copyright wolters kluwer health inc. all rights reserved.>

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