Compensatory balance reactions during forward and backward walking on a treadmill

Previous work suggests that balance perturbations to the body opposing the direction of progression during walking lead to larger amplitude corrective reactions than perturbations concurrent with walking direction. To test this hypothesis, subjects received forward and backward perturbations applied to the pelvis through a padded harness, while walking forwards or backwards on a treadmill. Contrary to our hypothesis, the greatest responses were associated with backward perturbations regardless of the direction of walking.

► Balance perturbations that oppose the direction of walking are expected to yield larger amplitude corrective reactions. ► We compared corrective balance reactions during forward and backward treadmill walking. ► Backwards perturbations resulted in the largest amplitude reactions, regardless of walking direction.