Self-Selected walking speed increases when individuals are aware of being recorded

Abstract

Background: Typical gait data collections consist of discrete walking trials where participants are aware when data are being recorded. Anecdotally, some investigators have reported that participants often walk differently between trials or before or after data collection compared to when they know they are being recorded. In addition, walking speed, which affects a number of gait variables, is known to be different when individuals complete discrete and continuous walking trials.

Research question: The purpose of this study was to determine whether changes in walking speed occurred as a result of participants being aware, versus unaware that data were being recorded, during both discrete and continuous walking trials.

Methods: Kinematic data were collected for twenty two individuals walking continuous trials or discrete trials, while they were both aware and unaware of being recorded. Comparisons of walking speeds were made between groups (continuous walking; discrete trials) and awareness of being recorded (aware; unaware) using a two way ANOVA.

Results: The results indicated that participants walked significantly faster during discrete trials when they were aware that data were being recorded compared to when they were unaware. However, when they walked continuously their walking speed was not affected by their awareness.

Significance: The results suggest that awareness of data collection, and the type of protocol used during data collection, affect an individual's walking speed during gait analysis. Therefore, care should be taken when determining gait analysis protocols where variables are sensitive to walking speeds.

Keywords: Gait; Methodology; Walking speed.