Coordination patterns of walking and running at similar speed and stride frequency

The present study compared walking and running constrained to one speed (2.24 m/s) and the average of preferred walking and running stride frequency. Lower extremity coordination was assessed, using phase plots, relative phase and variability analysis. Angular excursions, phase plots, patterns of relative phase and variability analysis illustrated similar segmental and joint coordination patterns for walking and running. Under the speed and stride frequency constraints, we observed topological similarity in coordination patterns between the thigh and leg in walking and running, which co-existed with functional differences throughout the gait cycle, especially in the transition from stance to swing phase. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.