A new fall-inducing technology platform: Development and assessment of a programmable split-belt treadmill

Typical technologies for fall reduction/prevention training incorporate mechanical obstacles or cables/pulleys to induce trip or slip perturbations. This paper proposes a technology platform that uses a split-belt treadmill equipped with one force plate underneath each belt and a real-time gait phase detection algorithm. A proof-of-concept study validates the method for inducing trip perturbations in healthy young adults (n=10) by using kinematic measures from a full body motion capture system to characterize the effects of the perturbations. Preliminary results show that the proposed method successfully induces a trip and its congruent postural responses. The major findings have implications for designing intervention programs to reduce or prevent falls by individuals with a high risk of falls.